Contentment for Christmas

I am sure that I am not the only one who struggles with contentment.  It seems that this time of year it is especially difficult.  We are bombarded with endless commercials that depict the perfect gifts and presentations (think "every kiss begins with Kay" and Lexus), as cheesy as they may be!  We read in Southern Living about beautiful houses that have been professionally decorated for Christmas while the perfect family pauses from their tree trimming and baking to have a casual "impromptu", I'm sure, photo.  I know that their lives cannot really be this way everyday, but that is the perception that I get.  Then, I look at my house that is seldom clean because I am seldom home.  Laundry is piled to the rafters, and nothing is perfect.  I am not thin and beautiful like the lady in Southern Living, and my kids are not little blonde cherubs with matching smocked outfits. Sigh.  Discontentment comes creeping in. 

My husband and children have a wonderful way of putting things in perspective for me.  My husband is a very wise man.  He is steady, and as solid as a rock in his beliefs.  He does things the right way, and he always sticks to his plan.  I am a little more impatient.  We decided after we had children that I would work part time so I could be home with the kids more.  This has been a blessing, although I have not always looked at it that way.  There have been times when I have thought that if I worked full time, we could have so much more "stuff".  The last couple of years, though, I have finally seen the wisdom in this plan, and I am so thankful that this is what we decided to do.  I have had the best of both worlds, and God has blessed me with some amazing part time jobs.  I am thankful for my husband's ability to sacrifice and be content and to lead us to do what is best for our family.

My daughter is also wise beyond her years.  This week, we dropped off something at a friend's new house.  Anna Caroline had never been there, and the house is very nice.  As we left, she said, "This is a really nice house.  I wish we could have a house like this."  Then, she said, "But, I'm just thankful that we have a house to live in."  I am thankful that she understands that not everyone is as blessed as she is.  This will certainly lead her to be content.

Yesterday we had a little cookie decorating party with a few friends.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and food and cookie decorating.  Amazingly, Southern Living did not call to cover my party.  I was shocked!  My house was not perfectly or professionally decorated.  I made my favorite foods, and we had a noisy, messy time.  It was wonderful!  I can learn to be content in the fact that people enjoy imperfect experiences or, I can never entertain until I get the perfect house, tree, decorations, etc. 

Last Christmas, the thought came to me that God could have provided anywhere for Jesus to be born- a palace or a comfortable home.  He could have even skipped Mary and Joseph altogether and just sent Jesus down  from heaven.  (I am not a theologian, but :) I think that maybe He chose Mary and Joseph and the stable to teach us that while He always provides everything we need, it may not be everything we want.  He knows what we need and when.  He also uses our circumstances, good or bad,  to teach us or to lead others to Himself.  We have to be content to let Him make those decisions.  Look at how Mary and Joseph's ability to be content and to trust God has affected all of history! 

Merry Christmas!