Be Content, But Not Satisfied

“Be content, but not satisfied.”

My husband, Bill, has shared that piece of advice numerous times when talking with our children, me, or someone else.

Let me tell you, Bill is a content man.

He doesn’t need the latest, greatest thing to be happy. I’m glad for that… I would have been kicked to the curb a long time ago! (Kidding, of course!)

He’ll use something until it’s unusable or until it falls apart.

You should see his wallet. It resembles a worn piece of leather. I’m surprised it even holds his money and cards anymore! He’s content with that old wallet, even though he has three more in his dresser drawer that were given to him as gifts over the years, just waiting to be used.

I’m beginning to find it comical each time he pulls that thing out to pay for something. It reminds me what a gem I married.

I would have tossed that wallet away long ago. But what fun memories we would have missed in doing so!

He’s content. He’s happy with what he has.

For the longest time, contentment and I didn’t get along. I always wanted something bigger, something better. The newest device. The latest fashion styles. The next prize or the next promotion to earn in my business. I allowed those things to determine my happiness. Only to find after acquiring or achieving whatever it was, my desire would be focused on the next great thing! What a crazy cycle I lived in for years!

I believe in order to be content with life, we need to be content with who we are. I most certainly wasn’t.

But God in His faithfulness, began to transform my heart and change my discontented self. I have to say, living in contentment is much freer than not! Today I can say I am happy with who I am and what I have.

Even so, my heart desires not to settle for anything less than God’s best for my life… minus the “things.”

I wish I could have been more like my husband a little sooner. I could be the one walking around with the worn-out wallet instead!

Does owning the latest and greatest say we’re not content? Oh, goodness no. But if they are the root of our happiness, we might want to take a more discerning look.

Friends, I pray you are living in contentment today. I pray you can be happy with who you are and what you have, but not to settle for less than God’s best for your life. If that’s a struggle for you, turn to the One who can help you.

I’m living proof of His heart-changing, contentment-filling work, yet I’m still a work in progress.

May He bless you with contentment in every part of your life today!

Julie