Cows are content

Tonight I went to a women’s gathering at my church, the topic we talked about was contentment.
Whenever I think of the word content, I think of cows. Maybe that’s the country girl coming out in me or it could be a deeper spiritual lesson. Next time, you are riding through the country. Look at the cows, they don’t want or worry; they know the farmer will look after them.
If you read my last blog, you know that I have been struggling with loneliness. When I was housesitting, I journaled about this,
‘Cows are content in whatever pasture they are in, I need to be content in this pasture.’
I believe God is teaching me about being content. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi,

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬
If I am honest, I’m not lacking ANYTHING. I want something. I desire something. And I don’t believe that is necessarily bad.
David writes,

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
We think that if we delight in the Lord we will get was we desire. We fail to realize we may require waiting and need that contentment.
I fully believe God is teaching me what it means to be content while I am in this season.
It is when we lay down our weapons and focus on what God has for us in this season, we will find true contentment.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We need to stop trying to fix everything ourselves and trust the Farmer to take care of us.
Remember, the cows are content. We need to take a lesson from the cows and be content where God has us.

Joy for loneliness

This week I started my forty-second housesitting job and to be honest I wasn’t looking forward to it. After 42 jobs, you would think I wouldn’t get lonely. Quite the opposite. When we took prayer requests Monday night, I asked for prayer that I wouldn’t get lonely this week. I could already feel loneliness trying to steal my joy that used to come with a job. I knew once I settled into this house, loneliness would try to dictate my week. 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9 ESV

I started this job with dread in my heart, but God has turned that dread to joy.

Tuesday night, once I had settled into the house, I could feel loneliness trying to seep into my heart. I was praying God into the house with me, when like a flash of lightning I jumped up and started dancing. Tuesday night, I did the YMCA. The dog looked at me like I had lost my mind, but it made me feel good. I read Psalm 139, before I went to bed. Verses one through five, have become my theme for this job. 

“O Lord, you have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”-Psalm 139:1-5 ESV

I could be here in the woods, but I am NEVER out of God’s sight. I could be feeling like I need a friend, but My Forever Friend is just a cry away.

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬