Choosing Content

Sometimes (most times, if I’m being honest), I struggle to feel content in my life. I constantly feel like I need to be more and to have more. I could blame society, social media, or HGTV. Or I could examine my heart and take accountability for being too consumed by the things of the world.

My kids like to have “slumber parties” — which just means we move both of their mattresses from their bedrooms to the living room and all pile in together for the night. Since there was no school today, they requested a slumber party last night. So we moved mattresses, ordered pizza, popped popcorn, and cuddled up for the night.

This morning, when I woke up earlier than everyone else, I immediately picked up my phone. I began scrolling through my newsfeed and instantly felt sad and left out (which has been a recurring theme I’ve allowed to circulate in my mind lately). I wasn’t enough. I didn’t have enough. *Insert here all the lies Satan tells us.

But then I made a decision that today would be different. With the TV turned off and my phone put away, I sat in the silence, closed my eyes, and prayed to God.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the peaceful faces of my sleeping family and felt a sense of contentment wash over me. In that quiet moment, God gently reminded me that the joy I keep chasing is already right here.

I don’t have some pivotal, life-changing point to make here — just a bit of encouragement to turn off the noise of the world that keeps saying you need to be more and have more. Because you don’t need more. You just need God.

I’m learning that contentment isn’t a feeling, but a choice. It’s choosing to rest in the truth that God is good and has already filled your life with more than you deserve.

So today, I’m making the choice to stop chasing “more” and start noticing what He’s already given me. I encourage you to do the same.