I had a bit of energy today, so that meant clean the house and organize stuff like crazy! As I was rearranging and trying to find places for things and put some more pictures around our house, I was thinking of all the cool things I wish I had to decorate my house. Cool crates or a neat chest to stack and look artsy. A book shelf or a buffet to put pretty candles on or some neat jars. Some shelves to put up on the wall and in the bathroom to add more decor. I mean, who doesn’t want their house to look perfectly put together and to finally be able to pack away all the Rubbermaid bins that are acting as our coffee tables and storage containers in every room of the house. But really, in the scope of life and our purpose being in Colombia is not to have the prettiest house with the coolest decor.
Am I having a hard time being content with where the Lord has me? Yeah, probably a little. Am I wishing someone else could come make my curtains and re-cover my gross looking chairs for me? Heck yes. Life seems a little overwhelming at times, but how much of that is the outside world, the materialistic world, telling me that I could have more or that my house could look prettier. Or I could do more as a wife and be a cooler, more crafty mom for my kids. We are in a place in our lives where we are going to continue moving around and who knows what our next house will look like or even how much of the stuff we accumulate will be able to come with us to our next destination. Pinterest, do I really need you in my life or are you just causing me to be discontent with what I have?
I know there is a reverse argument to this of “you can’t be expected to function if your house is in disarray” or “having things doesn’t make you a bad person”. Both of those are true, but I know that I need to strive to always be content with what the Lord has provided for us. To make the best use of our Rubbermaid bins, because, heck, they are great for storage even if they are nasty blue and gray. We make do with what we have and we can make it look nice and clean in the process. I know that this is my temporary home. I know that at any moment the Lord could call me home, to my eternal home. I know that there are more important things to dwell on than the fact that all my furniture doesn’t match each other or how ugly my floral and lacy curtains are. Every month, people sacrifice things that might really matter to them to make sure that we stay here in Colombia and take the Gospel to those who have never heard before. Man, that is just incredible. God we are humbled that you chose us to do this ministry. Give us the strength, the contentment, the courage and the grace to use everyday we have for You. With that, it’s on to clean the rest of the house and embrace my sweet Rubbermaids!
Spring says
Proud of your attitude Annette! I have been trying to learn and understand what true contentment means. I thought I was content, but learning my thoughts and actions don’t agree. You are right, its not bad to want those things… But, its when we are content with the situation we are in now. That’s what matters. Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
Keep pressing forward! Proud of you!
Lisa says
Praying God will bless your socks off!!
I realize you don’t know me but I have enjoyed
Following your blog. Confident God will use your
Family to do great things.
Betsy says
Well put Annette! The Lord has you on the fast track for learning the fruit of true contentment! Besides, my interior designer sister tells me it’s passe to do the “matchy matchy” thing, as she says :) Your home will be right in style if it’s mismated and ecletic!! Praying for you and your beautiful family!