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CTC Readers' Poll:
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"We recently were given the opportunity to realize the true
test of our faith and contentment. Our second daughter was born on
Feb 15th, 15 weeks earlier than her June 1st due date. Although it
has been a painful, emotional roller coaster, we believe that God
only gives you what you can handle. Because we are content in most
areas of our life, we were able to see the positives that have
come out of our daughter's early birth. We have learned so much
over the last 8 weeks and will continue to after we bring her
home. If she was not born early, we would have not met all these
wonderful people who are in charge of her care, met other parents
in the same situation, and learned what needs to be done to care
for these tiny babies." ~ Amy
"It is difficult for me to feel grateful as my DH was taken ill five years ago and went to hospital for an operation. He expected to recover quickly but was not allowed back to work for 6 months. By then the high powered, well paid job that he loved had disappeared. He is now partially paralyzed, very unhappy, and constantly struggling to find temporary work. I have to be the breadwinner, look after him and manage on a fraction of the income we once had. I'm now the 'poor relation' of my brothers and sisters, and don't have the money to keep up with old friends. Is there anyone else out there with a similar story, or can you offer suggestions to help me feel more contented?" ~ Julia "I am truly struggling with contentment right now in my life. My husband has accepted a job in a smaller town about 2 1/2 more miles from my family. Now it will be a total of 6 hours to get to see them. In addition, we are struggling to find a home that not only fits all my 'stuff' but one that I feel I can live in. So on top of the stress associated with a move, making new friends, learning where the grocery store is, leaving our old home, I'm feeling the stress of the clutter I've accumulated over the years. Contentment shouldn't be about 'things' and while my heart knows that, my head is telling me something different. I just keep praying for that peace." ~ Rhonda
"I have really struggled with
contentment since I fell and hurt my back. Five surgeries later
and no prospect of going back to work, the hardest thing for me
was having to become content with staying home and not doing much
compared to the old me. It took about 2 1/2 years, but I am really
much better with my situation and knowing that even if I don't
bring home money, I contribute just by being mom. There are so
many things that I do for the heart that I was unable to do when
working and now that I can't work, I can see the other side of the
coin...finally. It is a more peaceful place (not quiet, just
peaceful)." ~ Colleen, Ohio
"When I was in my twenties, I
had the image of a house with a white picket fence, nice cars,
wonderful husband and perfect children. When I was in my
thirties I became aware that my timetable for these things was
lagging behind. Just as I reached my forties my marriage of 24
years came to an end. I had very little income and two children to
rear. I learned by hard lessons to be content and at peace for the
Lord knows my every need. Bad times will pass, good times
will pass but our Lord and His Peace is with us always. Now
in my fifties I am content 99.99% of the time. I don't have the
material things I felt was so important but I enjoy each day as it
comes and serve the Lord with gladness." ~ Kathy from Alabama
"Since my husband died, my income dropped since I am retired. I rely on prayer and talking to God everyday. I keep a journal and write something positive every day and count my blessings. I do not have to have a lot and have decided that birds chirping, walking my dog, cutting grass, reading is enough to make me happy. Attending church and doing for others makes me feel like a millionaire." ~ Alma
"My greatest struggle with
contentment has been in the area of friendship. Being
a woman, my greatest joy is relationships. However,
as a homeschooled teenager in a bad neighborhood and a small
church, I had no friends. Then,
as a grown woman, my best friend 'dumped' me when she became
jealous over my not being sensitive enough to her needs for my
time. Other friendships have
failed, too. I've cried out to God for a few close women
friends, but my relationships usually continue to disappoint. However, I have found contentment at
the age of 40. I no longer feel incredible insecurity over
a lack of close friends. God has provided me with a few
ladies to whom I relate well; and while these relationships are
not what I long for, I also can see that God many times wants us
to cry out to Him in that area of our lives that disappoints. In this case, He has taught me that He is the only friend that
will never fail us, and that each of us also fails at being a
friend at times, even though we may not mean to. This
failure on all of our parts is often exactly what we need to see
the incredible success and perfection of Christ." ~ Rebecca
"I have a problem with comparing my home to the homes of others. We are members of a church located in the midst of half-million dollar homes. Many of our members live in these homes; we do not. Sometimes I feel a little envious when I see my friends' huge houses with professionally-decorated rooms. When I start feeling this, I remind myself of all the blessings I have. I am fortunate to be a stay-at-home wife, I have a lovely little home that is just right for my husband, me, and our two cats, and we have everything we need. I remind myself that we are positively wealthy compared to the majority of the world. I thank God for all I have then. This never fails to drive away those feelings of discontent." ~ Anonymous "Spending too much money. I am not in debt but I still spend too much on things I do not need and that does not lead to contentment. I feel more peaceful when I can pass an item by but find my self spending anyway on something else." ~ Debbie
Editor's Note: Thanks to all these readers who took time to write! |
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