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Learning Contentment

5.24.2013

learningcontentmentI mentioned on Monday that Tyler and I decluttered our apartment this weekend.

I like to think I’m good at getting rid of things but Tyler is the master/ruthless. If we got rid of everything that didn’t fit in our car, he’d be perfectly fine. But I’d see things that I hated to get rid of just because of the money spent on them, not necessarily because I needed or even wanted them them.

It hit me, things I buy today will one day (probably very soon) hold that same value: I don’t want it, but don’t get rid of it because of the price attached to it. It reminded me that stuff is just stuff and although it makes me happy for the few hours after I leave the store, it doesn’t give real happiness.

Ever since we found out we were pregnant, money and things have been on my mind so much. Babies are pretty expensive, as well as the hospital bills for said babies’ arrival. And there are a million little things you HAVE to get a baby. It’s hard to separate what things are simply fun to buy and what you need.

Although I understand that stuff doesn’t buy happiness, it’s been hard to truly change my mindset. We haven’t bought a single thing for Vivi yet. I think part of me is afraid that once the flood gate opens, it will be hard to slow down. Which is why I’m talking about it on the blog. I need the accountability. : )

I’m really working on preparing my heart right now. One area I am trying to change, is making sure everything we buy for her is purposeful. I know it might sound weird, but I’ve even taken to praying over her baby registry. I’ve been working on prepping for it for a month in hopes that the final things on that list, when we go register next month, will be things we need and nothing more. This might sound absolutely crazy to some but I think it’s a necessity for me.

Is there anything inherently wrong about buying more than necessities? No. Joyce Meyers said in a video I watched this morning that if God wants anyone to enjoy blessings like this, it’s His children. But I look to these things for my joy. And for some strange reason they NEVER give me real joy. How do I forget this on a daily basis??

I truly want to learn to be content with whatever we have, whether a little or a lot.  I want to be OK without the latest trendy accessory, or the cutest new baby gadget or the most amazing house for entertaining. I really have no clue how to change that desire in my heart except to flood myself with truth. I’ve got a two verses that I want to memorize so I never forget.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get richfall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Also, being reminded about the benefits of living a content life are always inspiring.

Check out Nancy Ray’s Contentment Challenge and Scoutie Girl’s post on going a year without buying clothes! Both are incredibly motivating.

The great thing about learning contentment with stuff is that it can translate in tons of areas of our life.

Have any other great tips for learning contentment? I would LOVE to hear them!

 { Car }

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