I want to let you in a little secret.
This “little” secret will truly change your life!
It is the secret of being content!
{Oh, I have so much to learn on this, just one glance at our “school room” post and you will see how God is working in my heart in this area!}
Honestly I think that most of us can’t even fathom what this truly looks like.
It seems completely unattainable.
That no matter the circumstance… blessings overflowing, good health, sunshine-filled days… crying babies, sick toddlers, tragedies, loss of a job… we can be content!
For discontentment is something that ALL of us face.
And sometimes that “longing for more” feeling that we get is good.
It reminds us that this is not our home.
At other times, we get that familiar twinge of “having too much stuff” (One look at our overflowing toy bins, and you’ll know what I mean!).
Which can lead us to be generous and willing to share with others.
But just think of how incredible it would be if we would truly be content with what we have… whether it be a lot or a little!
No complaining.
No whining.
No jealousy.
No envy.
It IS possible!
And it’s NOT by having everything we (think we) want.
I know the secret! {Now, to remember it and to apply it to my life!! :)}
Family {Bible} Time- Diving Into Philippians- Week 12
{Correlates with this week’s Diving Into Philippians Bible Study!}
*Tell your children that you have a secret for them (and they’ll have to wait and see what the secret is).
*Take some time to talk with your children about what it means to “be in need” and to “have plenty”. Maybe you share a story with them… maybe talk about the things we do or do not have… maybe talk about the children you sponsor… and/or talk about your desire and their desire for more.
*Have two (not inflated) balloons ready… one that you have pricked some holes in (ours was PINK), and one that contains no holes (ours was BLUE).
*Allow each child to attempt to blow up each of the balloons. (Yes, balloons are a choking hazard, so PLEASE don’t allow children that are too little to try this part! They can have fun watching mommy or daddy or a sibling huffing and puffing!)
*No matter how hard you try, the (pink) balloon with holes will not be able to be blown up!
*The (blue) balloon without holes should be able to be blown up with a little effort.
*Read Philippians 4:10-20 together (highlighting verses 11-13).
“I am not saying this because I am in need, 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV 1984
*Ask them if they heard “the SECRET to contentment”! If not- read it again!
*Talk about how the SECRET is in verse thirteen… “I can do everything through him [Christ] who gives me strength.”
*Just like how the (pink) balloon with the holes could not be blown up, without Christ who gives us strength, we will NEVER be content, no matter how hard we try!
*But, just as the (blue) balloon without holes was blown up with a little effort (see, there always needs to be some effort on our part!), through Christ who gives us strength, we CAN be content! (Which is the “everything” verse thirteen is talking about!) Pretty amazing!
*PRAY… “Dear God, Thank You for giving us the strength to do what pleases You! Help us to be content in any and every situation! Amen!”
*Now YOU know the secret!! :)
*EXTRA- Follow up this Family {Bible} Time by… finding items to give away (give away at least one treasured item), writing to the children you sponsor, collecting items for shoeboxes, making a “Compassion Kit”, opening your home to others, making a list of all God has given you and then thanking Him for it, etc. :)
*Now, go share the SECRET!
{{We did “Family Time” a bit early this week, as we are headed to visit family for the next week, and I’m not sure how much computer time I will have. I’m looking forward to spending some precious time with my family!! And hope you all have a blessed week!}}
Linked to Titus 2 Tuesdays and Women Living Well.
This. Is. SO. Hard. being content, I mean. I do often wonder if those around the world who don’t have as much stuff (which is much of the rest of the world right??!!) struggles with this as much as we Americans do. Not that it REALLY matters either way, but it is interesting to think about how the cause of having much affects this area of contentment especially in believers. Recently I read this quote and have it going through my head much of the day as a homeschooler, mom, wife, sister, Believer etc. etc. etc. “Comparison is the death of contentment.” This quote is curtsey of Rachel Martin. And I’ve realized the moment, yes the MOMENT I start comparing….that is the very moment I am discontent, jealous, angry, feeling sorry for myself….and on and on…..and this forces me to my knees
PS could those kiddos be any stinkin’ CUTER???!! You. Are. Blessed!
Kari Jo, You are so sweet! :) I LOVE that quote! And thank you for the reminder to go on our knees before the throne of Christ- the MOMENT we start comparing!
Many blessings- Jessica
I understand your compairison problem. I slip into that one more than I did before becoming a mom. I am thankful that now that I think about it, with so many problems around us the comparison things have not been coming from our parents as much, and I am VERY VERY thankful! With them not brining it up, we just don’t think about it. We know we are different, in fact I told my mom that we are weirdos. She told me not to say that, but I giggled and told her that we are and it works for us. *big smile* We are supposed to be in this world not of it. We are slowly, like a slug or snail, making our way to the path He has for us so that we are not OF it as much as we have been becoming. It’s a slow trip, one bite at a time, but it’s a load lightening trip to be sure. *smile* Have a lovely day growing in His ways and all the best as your family homeschools. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
Thank you, dear one! Comparison is so tricky. What a blessing that your parents have been so encouraging to you! I loved your reminder that we are supposed to be in this world and not of it. Let’s live for Him and not worry about the rest! Jessica
I love this! The virtue we’ve been working on lately has been contentment and this will be a wonderful addition to our morning tomorrow. And yes, mommy needs to work on contentment as much as the kids do.
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I hope the lesson went well for you also. Yes, we are ALL continually working on contentment! ;)
Jessica–sweet friend! I am loving all the photos and what you all are learning from this Bible study.
The kids have grown from the yr ago I started reading your blog, and they are so adorable! :)
Yes, my secret is we will be using your study as we start homeschooling in Sept! HHOOOORRRAAAYYY!:) Thank you for sharing my friend
Nicole, What a wonderful secret! I’m praying for you as you begin!! I pray that you will be blessed just as I have been in my time in that precious Book! And, yes, My children are growing, growing, growing… I keep trying to treasure the moments and slow them sown just a little! :) I appreciate you, dear friend and hope you are well!!
Jessica
Thank’s for sharing this powerful message with us. Greetings from Mexico.
Cony, many blessings to you! How great God is to lead me to meet you all the way from Mexico. :)
Thank you! :). Yes, God is wonderful and He always do amazing things like this :). Good night to you all! :)
I like this, thank you for the reminder to be content. We homeschool our seven and five year old children and are blessed to have the opportunity to have enjoyed fellowship with a German Baptist body the last couple times we have gone to church. The simple hard wood pews, white washed walls, ceiling fans to keep the place cool (which is did right nicely) and only voices to guide as we sang praise songs is a reminder of how much we truly need. The Lord has been working on our hearts for some time now about purging things we were either brought up with or that we allowed to slip in with our shadows with no accountability from others in the Family. Now we are purging our books, movies, and are extra careful with our time on the internet. I have been blog surfing this week and have been blessed to find so many stay at home wives and mothers that homeschool where I gain much encouragement to KEEP GOING! We rescently finished reading the book of Matthew, maybe Phillipians should be our next book. *smile* I have been transitioning from reading the chidlren’s bible with helpful information in the stories to the New King James translation we use in our family. The way I have been doing this is to read aloud from the NKJ in the mornings and the children’s picture bible at night durring story time. I am hopeful this will work, but I am now wishing I was not so hesitent to read from my NKJ when we started. Though I have heard about some stories for the first time from reading it in the children’s bible or from our Rod and Staff reading program. Just so much in the bible I have yet to read . Have a blessed day and thank you so much for making the time to share this with all of us. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
It is a joy to meet you! :) Thank you for sharing! How important it is that we truly take time to purge our houses and lives. Not easy, but truly a blessing!
I think Philippians would be a wonderful book for you to read next. :)
Thank you for your sweet encouragement! Jessica