Aaahhhh....contentment

Although I refuse to make a New Year's resolution, I have asked God to evaluate my life and reveal to me some areas where I need to improve. The one that He brings to my attention over and over is contentment.

We are bombarded daily with advertisements that reveal to us items or services that we don't have, need a newer model of, or simply cannot live another moment without. It's easy to look at the anorexic-looking models and wish we were thinner or see models that remind us that we need more or different-colored hair. The car ads tell us we need faster, yet more fuel-efficient, and more-luxurious cars. Our pets need the newest temperature-controlled pillows from Pet Smart, and the children need the newest-release of books that read themselves to the kids so the parent can do other, more important things.

So, it's easy to see why we can get so discontented with our juncture in life. Now, I'm not a real vain or needy person; in fact, I'm probably the epitome of "plain Jane." But I have caught myself looking around at friends and thinking it would be "cool" or "neat" to have one of those... (whatever it is that they have that day). Sometimes, it's material things, like a car or clothes or houses. At other times, it's more situational, such as their family life, or their accomplishments at work, or their spiritual lives. It could be any number of things.

God's is encouraging me to focus on Him and things that are lovely, pure, and of good report. When I focus solely on Him and things around Him, contentment floods my heart and soul. It's only when I allow my sight to scan this sunken and dirty earthly life that I'm discontent. Sure, there are things I'd like to have, but their significance seems to dramatically fade when my relationship is right with Christ. And these "things" don't nearly nag at me as much or steal my contentment anymore.

As I read Scripture (see below) and ponder my pitiful earthly-induced discontent, I am reminded that I am a weak creature and am in need of a strength beyond human proportions. Thank you, God, for being my strength and providing sufficient grace for me.


Scripture readings:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8

The free spirit has been captured

Well, the festivities of Christmas and the new year really swept me up like a winter storm. As alluded to in the previous post, I thoroughly enjoyed the annual caroling trip with my church. We sing carols and deliver fruit baskets to the widows and home-bound of our membership. This year, however, we made a couple of "extra" stops, one to a 10-year old girl who had been hospitalized at the university medical center for 7 or 8 months. She has recovered and went back to school yesterday for the first time in 10 months. God is so good!!!

As many others, Christmas was full of family, FOOD, and fellowship. It is always nice to reconnect with family, most of who live within a 30-mile radius but who I never see. That's a sad commentary, isn't it?!?! Knight and I had a "grown-up" New Year's Eve...we went to church, afterward watched football with my family until LSU totally blew away their opponent, and then went home and entertained ourselves with an Office Marathon. We love The Office.

The spirit of celebrating continued with my birthday!! It was a "grown-up" birthday. I did a little sewing; for those of you who don't know, sewing is a new-found hobby of mine. Knight's birthday gift to me was The Office - Season 4!!! May the Office marathon continue!!! Then, we joined the family for birthday dinner at Chili's. I must admit that "grown-up" occasions are not filled with the surprise and wonder that used to surround these occasions, which is a bit saddening to me. Is that part of growing up??

Now, after 2 weeks of celebations, sleeping in, and doing what I want when I want to do it, I'm back at the workplace!! I know...I can hear the sighs corporate America bursting forth!! I know you think we are a bunch of whiners, but I see our 2-week Christmas break as part of the balancing act of taking a very low-paying state job. It's one of the perks, you see. I have been fortunate enough to ease back into the work routine, so my complaints are minimal. I must remind myself that I am very blessed and grateful to have such a good job, despite the low pay, where I enjoy my job duties and coworkers. Next week, classes resume and then I'll have may crazy schedule again. So, corporate America, let me enjoy the relaxed atmosphere for one more week!!

That joy was short-lived...

Well, the snow was a very short-lived joy. Today, we have a predicted high of 71-degrees!! However, to offset that, Knight so nicely retrieved our Christmas tree from the tree farm while I stayed at home whipping up some homemade fudge. A while later, with the assistance of dear husband, we had a beautifully-adorned tree creating a beautiful flickering light and sending off a wonderful pine aroma in our dining room.

It seems every year there is a checklist of Christmas events. Now, for some people checklists are an evil to be avoided at ALL costs. To me, the CHRISTmas checklist is a wonderful way to make and add new memories to a wonderful collection of fond (and fun) times I've had throughout the years....granted, that list is growing as my age increases.

CHRISTmas Checklist:
1. The Christmas tree is pompously showing off its glorious branches filled with ornaments from years past.

2. I have entered my grades for the Speech Comm class I teach at the university, and the campus is becoming increasingly less populated as the "real" professors and students make their way home for the CHRISTmas holiday. One more step closer to Christmas.

3. I participated in my church's Christmas program last night. Indeed, it was one of the better productions that we've done. There was candlelight, traditional Christmas carols, a drama including Queen Desdemona, sign language to a touching song, a slideshow including some of the people we've prayed for throughout the year, singing Christmas songs with a bit of a new twist, and of course "fingerfoods" afterward. Thanks to all for your hard work to get things ready.

4. The office Christmas party is today at lunch. The boss is preparing gumbo, and we all brought sides, sweet treats, and drinks. Personally, I brought some of the fudge that I made Saturday for the luncheon and breakfast casserole to gets things kicked off the right way. I have my dirty Santa gift stashed in the car for the trip to our party destination. I used to hate that game, but in my aging years, I'm not so opposed to it.

5. Stay tuned...one of my fondest Christmas events is scheduled for this week...


Finally, it's Christmas time in our neck of the woods!!

Rookie...that's what she said

Well, well, well...

Winter is definitely making its presence known.  Can you believe there is a possibility for snow here is south Mississippi?!?!?  It has been quite the dreary day, with temperature dropping throughout the day and rain creeping into the scene.  

Additionally, I am giving the final exam for my Speech class tonight.  I know we all expect the students to be excited about wrapping up the semester, but it is also a release for the instructor.  I enjoy teaching and seeing their "ah-ha" moments, although sleepy-heads are a bit more prevalent.  Nonetheless, we are inching closer and closer with the end of yet another fall term at the wonderful University of Southern Mississippi.

Off I go to get the exams ready for this afternoon.  After class, I shall rush to church for a quick business meeting and then home for some hot chocolate and a girly show on TV.

And that is what she said....