My Journey to Contentement - Part 2

Today I am going to share with you the first major step on my journey to contentment. If you missed my introduction to this series, be sure to read it here.

Considering the Cup/Portion that God has Given You

 Last week I asked you to join me back here today with a cup of coffee or tea. That was partly because there is just something nice about having a warm drink in your hand as you sit down to read or have a chat with a friend, but that wasn't my only reason. In the first chapter of Linda Dillow's book Calm My Anxious Heart, she sets forth a very useful and eye-opening analogy - "The Teacup Analogy". 

Take a look at your cup. What does it look like? Is it a dainty and fragile tea cup? Or is it a strong earthenware mug that's been dropped a million times but yet has never broken? What size is it? How does your cup compare with your personality? Maybe you're holding the strong and sturdy mug, but feeling more like the fragile one! Either way, it is God who has assigned you with that special and unique cup. He did this at the very beginning of your life - "For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother's womb" Psalm 139: 13.

Now think about what is in your cup. God has given that too! This is your portion. It includes your "physical and emotional being, [your] abilities, circumstances, roles, and relationships". All of these things have been assigned by God to you because that is what he sees as best.

The cup I have today is a pretty cup that I received from my Secret Sister at the Mom's group I attend. It has the word "March" (my birth month) in golden letters and a beautiful image of Lily of the Valley. I like the cup. And I like what is in it (Coffee!). And I can look at my life right now and think the same thing, but that wasn't always the way I felt!

When I found out I was pregnant with our first I was, of course, ecstatic, overjoyed, delighted, etc! I couldn't wait to be a mom and have a little baby and it was going to be so wonderful and joyful. Everyday I would wake up with a new-found purpose -- because I would be a Mom! I'm sure most new mothers can attest to this feeling. I think it mostly happens, though, if you haven't been around newborns that much prior to having one yourself!

When we met our little pumpkin for the first time, it was a joyful occasion! I still remember the shock that I felt that there was actually a baby inside me all that time. I guess it never really clued in before! She opened her eyes and looked up at me. Wow. You can't get any more amazing than that!

There was an exercise in the book where you had to make a list of all of the positives and negatives in your life and then decide which list you focused on more. If you focus on the negative list, well then that's why you are discontented. I did this exercise and I couldn't really think of any negatives! I saw so many wonderful things! I thought to myself, 'Well, I should be content. Look at all of the blessings! I have a husband, house, and baby. We have food to eat, clothes to where! How can I complain about anything?' But yet, I didn't feel that way *at all*! I was puzzled by this for a long time. I knew that I wasn't content. That was very clear. But I just couldn't figure out why! 

*******************************************************************************************************

To be continued!

My Journey to Contentment

I have been meaning for a long time to begin a series about contentment. Not that this is an area that I have excelled in (despite my blog name!) but rather, I strive toward it and in faith say that I am a Contented Mama!

Our church has a Ladies fellowship group that meets once per month. I have found this to be such a blessing and encouragement to my Christian walk and have grown so much in the discussion of Godly topics and sharing of experiences. We just finished reading through and discussing the book Calm My Anxious Heart: a Woman's guide to finding contentment by Linda Dillow.

It was through the reading of this book that I first thought of my blog name! And also more importantly it was through reading this book that I began to realize my desperate need to strive for contentment and how I may go about that.

The following is an acrostic poem that I wrote as a summary of the book and I intend to cover one letter per week in my series on contentment. So join me here next Tuesday with a cup of coffee/tea and an open heart. May the Lord Bless you and keep you until then!

Contentment is…

Considering the cup/portion that God has given you

Offering a humble heart before God

Not allowing greed to consume your heart

Thanking God for the joys and the trials

Erasing negative thoughts and words

Never Complaining

Taking time to pray when your mind would rather worry

Making God’s purposes your purposes

Ever focussing on Eternity

Noticing the blessings God has given you

Trusting in God’s providence and sovereignty

My Pumpkin will be 1!

I just want to say that I miss writing!!

My mind has been elsewhere though. For starts with my almost 1 year old baby girl!! I can't believe she is almost 1! Time sure does fly by. Oh and also with my baby in the womb. He/she has just started making some "feel-able" kicks...at least I think that it's the baby...like 90% sure. 17 weeks on Monday...almost half way there.

And then there's my dear old husband....Gotta say, I like the guy. <3

The Contented Papa - My Man

Today I want to showcase someone who is very special to me.

This is the Contented Papa – Peter. 

There is a lot to say about this man. First of all he is a Christian man. He loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. He seeks to serve and glorify God with everything that he does. He leads our family in bible reading and prayer everyday. He thinks about how he might better lead our family. 

I am so thankful for this.

He works hard and he works smart. He takes his work seriously and he does it with vigor and zeal. He is energetic and motivated. He runs his own business and therefore has to manage his time well. He is learning this skill. It is hard to know how much time to spend with the family and how much time to spend with work. But he is growing and adjusting as he needs to and I am very proud of him!

Peter is intelligent. I remember the first time we walked through a woodland trail.

It was just down the road from the university I was attending and 

we were just getting to know each other. 

As we walked he pointed out latin scientific names of plants, ferns, and wild flowers! Perhaps only a biology major (such as myself) could find that to be not only impressive, but also very romantic! He continues to impress me with his knowledge and understanding and also with his love of learning. 

He inspires me to learn more and love to learn more.

He is not lazy. I don’t think there is a lazy bone in that man’s body! 

He jumps out of bed in the morning ready to take on the day! 

If he is not marking or tutoring he is working on some project in the house, 

running an errand or spending time with his daughter or with me.

Which leads to my next point, he is an Amazing Daddy. 

In his daughter’s eyes, he is the superhero Daddy who can do everything! 

He is fast, tall, strong, talented and funny. 

He has a big grrrowwl that makes her giggle. 

He has strong arms that throw her high into the air. 

He plays beautiful music on the recorder that makes her smile and dance. 

He is the #1 man in that girl’s life. 

And He’s also the #1 man in this girl’s life. 

I love him, honour him, respect him, and cherish him. 

He is my lover and my best friend. He is ready steady all the time. 

He doesn’t waver up and down like I often do. 

He is very consistent and stable. 

He is the kind of man that I can depend on. 

I love you!

Our Family

Allow me to introduce myself and my family:

 

Peter, Niki, and Rebekah

We love the Lord Jesus Christ and desire to bring Glory to Him in the way we live our lives. 

May this blog be a testimony of our dedication to Him.