Among the things the Lord put on our hearts in preparation for life in Northern Ireland was to get a kitten. He provided it straight away when we arrived, and Miss Mittens has turned out to be a great source of joy and entertainment in our lives. Our wee Irish cat has a fun personality, but she thinks she’s a puppy for she will chase her tail to amuse herself and follow us around from room to room as we move about the house, happy to be wherever we are.
As we see our kitten settle in for a nap near us, it reminds us of a lesson that we’ve been learning lately. Sunday morning teaching has been going through the book of 1st Timothy and in chapter 6 verses 6-8 it says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; and having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” Learning the lesson of contentment has been a paramount issue in our lives. In this world we are bombarded with messages telling us that we won’t be happy unless we have the newest, the flashiest, the costliest, the latest gadget or a higher position and greater responsibilities. Contentment is a fleeting image flashed before our eyes and never able to obtain. John D. Rockefeller, one of the world’s richest men ever, was once asked by a reporter of his wealth, “How much is enough?” Rockefeller replied, “Just a little more.” That is the human condition: we are never satisfied with what we have at the moment, but want a little more – or a lot more!
Cindy and I have been battling this tendency toward discontentment. As I mentioned last time, we are purposely starting slow. Although we want more, more, more ministry, God is slowing us down and asking us to learn to be content at the moment. Our natural desires are to be busy at work for the Lord, but He is asking, “Will you be content with what I have for you right now?” I am reminded of Zechariah 4:10 where God says, “For who has despised the day of small things…” Jesus said, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.”
So in this time that seems like least, we are learning to be content and be faithful to what God has called us to be. Then we look at the cat when she settles down at our side, content with food and shelter and glad to be in our presence. She knows this by beginning to purr as we stroke her head. Cindy and I likewise are learning to purr as we settle in with the Lord; content with what He is giving us.
