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Content...3-12-25

I have referred to my husband as "rough around the edges". I think I mentioned before that He has told me once "His eyes have seen things his mind can't unsee". He was a fireman for over 30 years. He started as a volunteer firefighter on a local department. His dream was to become a firefighter at a larger city. With the Lord's assistance, that dream became a reality shortly after we were married. He was an EMT, Hazardous Material Technician, hoseman, driver, and then Captain. He didn't want to go any further. He was content to end his career as a Captain. Where he was stationed, he ran all the time. They made every call that the police made and were on the scene before anyone. He has treated those with burns, car injuries, gunshot wounds, stabbings, physical violence, and any number of medical emergencies. He has watched as fellow firefighters were injured, plane crash victims, and with those who went home to be with Jesus. By far the worst were the injuries involving children. Yes, he is rough around the edges because he had to be.

You see, my husband doesn't compare himself to others very often. He knows where God has him and he is content in that situation. He knows he will not be a deacon in a church. That is not something God has called him to do. He knows he will not be a leader of a Sunday School class, again, not his calling. He knows what God wants him to do and He is there. We have talked about God's direction in our lives more than I can count. We have discussed our desire to follow Him. My desire to do more and my husband's self-assuredness that he is following God's plan.

I often compare myself to others. He never does. I often wish I could be more at ease with who I am. He never does. I will lament to him about a situation, and his answer will always be, "Why aren't you happy with just ________?" I could fill in that blank with so many things. He knows his place and God's calling. I am learning.

Over the past year, God has taught me to be "content in my circumstances". Phillipians 4:11-12 says, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have an abundance. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." 

A friend told me yesterday as she was reading my blog that she could tell some of the times that I blogged when I was stressed. I quickly told her, that wasn't it at all. You see, this week will be 3 months of blogging. Three months God has led me to reveal what He puts on my heart. 3 months of praying that everything I say and do will be to His glory as I have done for quite some time, but more in earnest now as I seek His guidance. What a 3 months of blessings and contentment. God knows what we need, when we need it. Our contentment is not in our circumstances, it is in our unwavering Faith that God is in control and we know who He is and where our everlasting will be. I Timothy 6:6-7"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of it."