I have a very intense life given my personal story and ongoing struggles, my being devoted 24-7 to the Lord Jesus Christ and ministry, the nature of my ministry work, the state of this world, being on the road for Jesus, and being single on purpose for Him. So call me crazy but I find some lighthearted comic relief by sometimes making up short conversations between me and my special needs ministry dogs during which out loud I speak for myself and for the dogs. Well imagine my surprise when this happened.
“Mommy I want French Fries!” I spoke out loud as though Miss Mercy were speaking to me her Mommy.
“Honey, you always want something you do not have!” I responded.
Seemed for days in our little made-up conversations Miss Mercy had made abundantly clear her desire for pancakes, waffles, etc. and now French Fries. Never mind the love, care, and time I had been putting into making homemade meals for her and special needs ministry dog Grace. In the little conversation that flowed from my mouth, Miss Mercy was anything but content with and thankful for what she already had.
I didn’t make it any further in the conversation. The Holy Spirit of God moved strong on my heart letting me know I had a message to share.
About how some of us always want what we do not have. How instead of being content and thankful to the Lord with what He desires and chooses to give us, we are discontent, unthankful, complaining, self-pitying, and demanding of what we want.
I was just playing a silly little game that day, but this is an entirely serious subject.
Instead of sinning against God by complaining, feeling sorry for ourselves, being unthankful, discontent, and demanding, we are to be thankful and content with what we have. Nothing wrong with asking for something, but this we should do with humility, trust in God for His perfect will, and thanksgiving to God no matter what He decides.
No matter what, we are to be content and thankful.
The apostle Paul speaks of contentment, but please note how he says he LEARNED to be content. To me this implies this is something we should learn to be if we are not already.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
As for being thankful to God, the Bible is clear from start to finish we are to love Him, praise Him, worship Him, adore Him, obey Him, serve Him, honor Him, glorify Him, bless Him – and to BE THANKFUL TO HIM.
I still play that silly little game with my sweet ministry dogs, but rest assured I have my ears wide open for more messages the Lord might use the conversations to give me!
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV