As a young boy growing up in East Texas, my father used a phrase that often echoed from my own lips to my children when the went through  of those “I want, I want, I want” phases. ” YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED, BUT NOW YOU DON’T WANT WHAT YOU GOT” You see, strangely enough, we often go through lots of plotting, planning, action, and occasionally a little bit of manipulation, and often some type of tantrum to get what we don’t have, and when we get it, realize that we really don’t want it.

Somewhere along the way, and perhaps as parents we teach it to our kids, or we just struggle with fighting something that is inherent, and that is the feeling of discontentment. I often laugh as I think of my childhood, growing up in rural East Texas. My summer’s were spent running through the woods, playing with sticks and rocks and having the time of my life. At night I could lay in my bed, in the room I shared with my brothers, and see the moon and stars through the worn roof of our home. Even better would be when one of those famous gully washers (country term for a hard rain!) would sweep in and my brothers and I would scramble to the kitchen and start dropping pots and pans all throughout the house to catch the rain water as it pour in through the cracks. We would laugh and never thought anything was odd about it, it was just life.

Now I find myself stressing over keeping the rent paid on a four bedroom home with two living areas. Worrying about if I will have enough money for the next trip I am planning. Looking at my job and feeling like I don’t make enough money.

I pause and think, I must be crazy!  I long for those simple days of carefree running and playing, but remember I could not wait to go out into the world and be working man!  Today, appreciate all that you have!  Moments  fly by and getting what you want is not always better!!

Philippians 4:11- 13
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.