Welcome to my blog on topics about keeping the home - or attempting to - as a Gen X Mom of four and wife to one. :) This blog is written by me, Lori Seaborg, from the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast. I'm not the person who is ahead of you in mothering and homemaking knowledge. I'm just the gal right beside you, motivating the 11yo daydreamer, keeping up with the 9yo future homemaker extraordinaire (every mama needs a helper like this one!), teaching the rascally 6-year-old while occupying the 3yo. Let's learn together!
Several years ago, I was feeling discontent in our 1200 square foot home with four children ages 6 and under. I wanted so desperately for God to move us to the country, to a bigger and better home, but we had just lost a business so moving was not an option. We wouldn't be able to get another home loan now that our credit rating was ruined.
Me, a country girl at heart, was stuck in the middle of a city with zoning codes that would not allow me to raise even a chicken. Although we had a yard, there were no climbing trees on our property for the children to enjoy. No tadpoles, snakes, bunnies. We had no garage, no shed, no basement, and no attic. In other words, every single thing the six of us owned had to fit into our 1200 square foot place. Not an easy task for Americans!
I was one discontent mama, living my days in that little house with so many small children around me. Tim drove a commute of an hour each way to work, taking our only car with him. For 11 hours each day, I was alone with the children, wallowing in my discontentment and self-pity.
One day I was at a Bible study (my mom invited me to go with her so we crammed the children into her car) and someone quoted these words:
* Never allow yourself to complain about anything - not even the weather.
* Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
* Never compare your lot with another's.
* Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
* Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember that tomorrow is God's - not ours.
I didn't hear any other words for the rest of that Bible study hour. In my mind, the above words were repeated over and over. As soon as the Bible study was over, I grabbed the woman who had quoted the words. She said she got them out of Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow and allowed me to borrow her book.
I did not go home and become immediately content that day. No, my discontent had grown over many years, so it was much too large to release in one day. It did decrease, though, when I focused less on things and more on God. I learned, over time, that contentment will bring you peace.
The peace that follows contentment is worth accepting your circumstances.
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul says, "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 to be content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do anything through him who gives me strength."
by Lori Seaborg
p.s. If you are needing a bit of inspiration to get back into God's arms, or if you are feeling down, or if you are struggling with contentment and worry, then you may also benefit from this book. Click on the link to read a few sample pages and reviews at Amazon.com:
a couple of years ago, and found it very helpful. I recognized the quote you mentioned a few posts back about looking out through prison bars and seeing either mud or stars. I consistently enjoy your posts, Lori. Thank you! Eleanor
Wow! I read the excerpt and I am going to get that book when I place my order for school (this week). Here's to trusting God with what He has chosen for each one of us individually. Great post!
Gayle
Wow!! Am I ever feeling God's grace right now. I am always wanting more and feeling sad because we have no money etc.... I somehow(yeah right) stumbled on your site and read those powerful words and felt....well I felt really inspired. I have been slacking on going to church and whinning about everything. I am going to read this book and get my self where I need to be and that is with the Lord. Funny how he always knows what you need and when you need it. Thank you for being my messenger today.
Bless you,
Suzeanne Martinez
Suzeanne, Almost daily I have to be reminded to be content, too. It doesn't come naturally to me. I love to make a nest for my family, and want it to be the prettiest nest and the neatest nest. I actually don't long for a mansion, that would be overwhelming to me. It's the very neat (clean) homes and the very decorated homes that cause me discontent. With four little ones, something is always getting messy or broken. So, in other words, I'm on the road to contentment with you. Like I said in my profile, I'm not the gal ahead of you, just the gal right beside you. Hope you like the book!
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