Being Content with What We Have
I should have known better.
After teaching kindergarten for so many years, I should’ve recognized I was wandering into dangerous territory. At snack time, the kids were getting a special treat, cupcakes, but the cupcakes weren’t identical. Someone was going to be discontented.
I should’ve remembered the Theorem of Cupcakes: If you have 6 chocolate cupcakes and 6 vanilla cupcakes to distribute among 12 children, 7 or more children will insist on chocolate.
The corollary goes this way: If you’re serving vanilla cupcakes, 6 with green icing and 6 with blue icing, 7 or more children will insist on blue (or maybe green depending on the day), even though all the cupcakes taste exactly the same.
And someone will cry.
Then someone will shout, “That’s not fair!”
But God doesn’t give all his children exactly the same thing, does he?
Look at Peter and John. Peter suffered a martyr’s death, while John lived to a ripe old age (albeit in exile) and received a vision of heaven.
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples on the Sea of Tiberius, cooked breakfast, and had a little chat with Peter. Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Then Jesus commissioned Peter with a great responsibility: Feed my sheep. Peter was going to shepherd the precious ones who would become followers of Jesus. Jesus also let Peter in on a little secret: he revealed how Peter’s earthly life would end.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me” (John 21:18-19 ESV).
But Peter saw John and wondered what would happen to John.
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21: 21-22 ESV).
I’m guessing most of us would choose John’s fate over Peter’s. But though our paths may not be the same, as believers we all have the same responsibility: to follow Jesus wherever he leads us.
I can be just like the kids in my class, comparing what I have to what everyone else has. Someone else has a more prestigious job. Someone else has more talent. Someone else seems to be having more fun.
The cupcake is greener on the other plate.
How can we learn to be content with what we have?
Savor It and Say It
One way is to actively seek satisfaction in what we already have.
I don’t always do that. At mealtime, for example, I say a quick, “Thank you, Father, for my food.” But I don’t take time to enjoy the gooey, cheesy, tomatoey goodness of my pizza because I’m distracted. I’m rehashing the troubles of the day or making my mental to-do list for the evening.
So I’m working on a new habit. I’m trying to savor the wonder-filled, amazing, ordinary moments of each day: a spectacular sunrise during my morning drive to work; a child’s delightful or insightful expression; a soft pillow and clean sheets at night.
And I’m making a habit of naming—out loud—the things I appreciate.
My job may not be glamorous, but I’m excited to see my students learning to read.
At the end of a long day, I’m happy to be home with my husband.
Frozen pizza! My favorite dinner! (Yes, it’s really my favorite.)
Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about the good things. I find it helps to speak aloud the things that are lovely, right, and excellent. Things worthy of praise. As I hear myself declare these truths, my complaining heart morphs into a heart of praise.
And when I recognize all God has given me, I’m not so prone to compare myself to others or feel short-changed.
Focus and Follow
When Peter asked about John’s fate, Jesus said simply, “You follow me.”
How could Peter so willingly follow, knowing he’d ultimately die a martyr’s death?
But Peter had just had a sample of God’s goodness. He’d seen Jesus send fish swimming into his nets. Peter had tasted the breakfast of barbecued fish and fresh bread. He’d spent quality time with Jesus.
When we acknowledge and appreciate God’s provision and cultivate a close relationship with him, we’re content to trust him no matter where he leads.
And when we’re focused on Jesus, we’re not looking around at the cupcake on someone else’s plate.
Father, help me gratefully take what you give me, savor it, and say aloud, “It’s good.” Show me the good works you have planned for me today. Remind me these are tasks you’ve chosen especially for me. Help me fix my eyes on you and follow where you lead. Amen.
Scripture for Meditation
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Tim. 6:6-8 ESV)
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)
Reach for More
Read these sentences out loud and fill in the blank: “I’m so glad God gave me__________________.”
“I really enjoy_________________________.”
Spend some time talking to Jesus. Write down what you sense him telling you. Throughout the day, remind yourself he is with you, and follow where he leads.
spends most days teaching a classroom full of lively five-and six-year-olds. She’s attracted to be fragrance of vanilla, the printed word, and all things blue and white. She delights in spending time with her husband and family, singing praises with her church choir peeps, and traveling. Her heart’s desire is to know God better and learn to trust him more. You can read more of her writing at MargaretKemp.com.
Photograph © Ana Maltez, used with permission
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