Each Day Is A Gift

It is very difficult sometimes to count our blessings when our perception is so skewed. Many times in those moments, I think to myself, so and so has such an awesome life. I wish I were someone else and somewhere else. This whole being in Upstate New York has totally worked on my attitude. It is so gloomy, cold, and cloudy here, even in April. My professor yesterday asked me how visiting home was and my first reaction was it is much warmer and sunny. She replied by saying hopefully it will get warmer here soon. For 29 years of my life I grew up where it was warm, sunny, and pleasant. For the past year I have lived in a region of the country that does not see much sun. I wish I were back in California!

(Dillow:2007) discusses contentment in our roles. She includes an exchange of three friends from college several years after graduation. It is quite interesting to read these letters. Each woman has different roles. The two letters I found pertinent to the chapter is from the mother versus the single. The following is the letter from the mom:

Dear Terri, The elementary bus just picked up Adam, and the twins are down for a nap, so I might have time to finish this note, if you could see through e-mail, you'd see that my new white blouse is now purple — part of a long and complicated breakfast accident, on which I'd rather not elaborate. Suffice it to say, we now REALLY need new den carpeting. Thank you for remembering my birthday. The perfumed soap and bubble bath are a real treat, and I'm looking forward to a long soak next fall, when the twins start kindergarten. I heard from Laura a few weeks ago. She's going back to school to finish her degree. I'm so jealous! The only books I have time to read these days use the same words over and over and over, hop, pop, top, and stop. Write when you can. I know you're traveling a lot, and I like hearing about those exotic places. Love, Sheryl (Dillow:2007 p. 59-60)

This letter captures her busyness. It also captures her discontent as a mom. She wishes she has time to read. She believes her friend has a better life going to so many places in the world, but does her friend enjoy the life that she's been given:

Dear Sheryl,

I wish I could spend a weekend at your house, holding Adam and the twins on my lap and reading hop, pop, top, and stop instead of these tedious sales reports. You're so lucky to have a young family that adores you. I'm still hoping, but I'm afraid my biological clock got left in another time zone. Spent last week in Paris. Overrated. I hate baguettes. Next time I have to go overseas, I'm packing a loaf of Wonderbread.

Love, Jerri (Dillow:2007 p. 60)

I make note of these two exchanges because their lives are so different and yet both are discontent. One wants to be a mom while the other wishes she could travel the world. The one who gets to travel the world talks about how the world class cities are overrated and complains about the food there. As the reader, unattached from both their worlds, I don't know where they are coming from. I wish I had children, but I don't know what that involves. I am sure there are many challenges. Dillow confronts the women who she quotes responding to the question when does a woman become an adult: "Perhaps it's when she stops comparing her life to other women's. When she stops waiting for "Mr. Right." When she stops wishing she'd married someone else or that her children were at an easier stage." (p. 61)

Comparing, waiting for a better spouse, being unhappy in present situations. Dillow asks for us to change the way we think about our roles, to take on God's perspectives. We need to thank God for what He has given us. "We grow up when we see our life and our role from God's perspective; when we thank God for the role He has assigned us and begin to see our cup as a gift instead of a cross; when each morning we ask, "God, how can I glorify You today in my given role?" (p. 61)

That is a God-honoring and powerful prayer. How can I glorify You God in my role today. I bet the world would change if every man and every woman of God prays that each morning and is tune to how God answers. It begins with us. What happens if we accept our roles versus if we don't? "If we're trusting God that His portion for us is best, we can make the secret choices that will bring us a heart of contentment. If we don't accept God's portion for us, we will become women with spirits of discontent." (Dillow:2007 p. 63).

It goes back to trusting God. That is trusting God that He knows what He's doing. Every circumstance and role He has designed for us. It is how we respond to it. Dillow's section with all roles provide opportunities is probably the best in this chapter because it points us back to Jesus. She asks the question why did Jesus come to earth. "Jesus gave His primary reason when He said He came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). He asks you and me to enter our worlds with the same purpose. Jesus humbled Himself and took the role of a servant. He used His assigned role to minister to those around Him and to give the ultimate gift of His very life. I don't think many of us have ever thought about this before, and yet if we did. I believe our attitudes would be transformed." (Dillow:2007 p. 64)

I think if we really think about it, discontent is selfish. It is wanting something else. For the Christian it is saying to God that we are unhappy with the gifts He has given us and we want something else. Contentment happens when we look upward to God and then outward to our world, worship and witness. God truly has given us a lot no matter who we are because for all of us He's given us Himself and that by itself is huge. Would we celebrate His goodness and be a blessing to others today. We've sang this song many times at DCCC. Last year's retreat we closed the first night's Bible study with this song.

Take my life, and let it be

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take my life, and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee;

take my moments and my days,

let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move

at the impulse of thy love;

take my feet, and let them be

swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing

always, only, for my King;

take my lips, and let them be

filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold,

not a mite would I withhold;

take my intellect, and use

every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;

it shall be no longer mine.

take my heart, it is thine own;

it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord,

I pour at thy feet its treasure store;

take my self, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.