the secret.

"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." ~Paul, in Philippians Chapter 4

I am dealing right now with a major case of the discontentments. No, that is not a word. But it's what's up. I read lots of blogs, and browse Pinterest, and see friends' things, and I want. I want my house to be cleaner, I want the list of projects to be done, I want those new pillows, and I want a prettier home office. I want my daughter to obey me, I want more money each week for groceries, and I want a garage for all the stuff overflowing my house. I want to get the van fixed, I want to go back to the doctor so maybe my ear won't be stopped up anymore, and I want to have money to go eat lunch at McAlister's on any given day. I want to be a better mommy, I want to be a better wife, and I want to love God more.

That is a LOT of wants. And that's just the short list. Well...no wonder I feel so overwhelmed! I expend a lot of energy wanting things that I don't have. They are not necessarily bad things, but constantly wanting things is leaving me feeling in a state of disarray. I am a busy mom of an 18-month-old, trying to maintain some semblance of a proper household, while working a part-time job and still trying to make time for family & friends. I don't need to add to that stress, the energy it takes to want all of this stuff. I am tired. I am way too tired to do all of this extra wanting.

So, I am turning to God, to show me the secret. Paul said in Philippians that he had learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether in plenty or in want. Wait...hold on. You can be content while also "in want"? Evidently so! I need to learn this secret. I need to work on being content while I am in want, and stop using up my much-needed energy on all of the wanting.

What I need to want, is God. I need to just want God.