Being Content

 

Good morning Friends ~ Thanks for all of your comments. I am still enjoying using the Blue Emu Cream. One commenter said it didn’t work for her, and I was sorry to hear that. This cream is not a ‘cure-all’, but it does alleviate pain. Also, I should have mentioned that the instructions say to use this cream 2-3 times a day for 2-3 weeks, then as needed.  Natural healing remedies take time usually to kick in and do their thing. I hope it works for those of you who do try it and that it gives you some relief from whatever pain you are suffering from.

This past week I’ve had several bits and pieces come to me either through reading, watching a you-tube movie, through nature, etc. reminding me to be content whatever my circumstances may be. It has really be a learning experience with this thought, especially since my dear husband left this planet to be with God 3 1/2 years ago.

We don’t know the ‘why’ of things that happen in our lives, but as a believer in Jesus, I know that He will supply all my answers when the time is right. Maybe not in this life, but certainly in the next one.

As a widow, I have been drawn closer to God and He is my strength each and every day. If I didn’t have Him in my life, I would be a basket case. He gives me peace and joy and I know my husband and I will be reunited again one day.

Part of being ‘content’ is being thankful for all that we have. I saw this saying yesterday on you-tube.

“The happiest people don't have the best of everything,
They just make the best of everything they have.”

In another video I heard something like this:

If you drive a Mercedes, be thankful.

If you drive a jalopy, be thankful.

If you had a steak for dinner, be thankful.

If you had a hot dog, be thankful.

Whatever you have, much or little, be thankful, be content.

The Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Philippians 4:11-13 the following encouraging words.

***

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  

I can do all this through Jesus who gives me strength.

***

With thoughts about being content running through my head I went out yesterday morning with thankfulness in my heart and mind. Having my feet not hurt so much it was a joy to go out and tackle some trimming and weeding along the driveway. Working in the shade was nice, there were some sweet breezes, birds were chirping, there were times of silence when no traffic was racing down the road out front and it felt good to be alive.

Last night for supper I sauteed some tipalia filets in butter and served them over rice with a Kiwi Sauce.  Delicious!  You could serve this sauce with chicken also.

Here’s the recipe which I found here.

Kiwifruit Ginger Sauce for Whitefish

1/2 cup each vertically sliced onion, julienne carrot and green pepper

1 tablespoon each julienne fresh ginger root and vegetable oil

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup each packed brown sugar and vinegar

3 kiwifruit, pared and sliced

4 (6 oz.) whitefish steaks or fillets, steamed or poached

Saute onion, carrot, green pepper and ginger in oil. Mix cornstarch and water; add brown sugar and vinegar. Pour over vegetable mixture and cook until thickened. Quickly stir in kiwifruit. Pour over prepared fish just before serving.

Makes 2 1/2 cups sauce.

***

I didn’t take a photo last night, but here’s one I took in 2010, when I first made the recipe.

I have left-overs for another meal. Tonight I want to make a recipe for ‘Elizabethan Chicken’ made using green grapes. I always loved cooking for my husband. He was a good sport always trying new recipes, and thanked me for meals cooked and enjoyed together. I miss that part of my life. I still need to eat, I still enjoy cooking, and I am learning contentment in cooking for one, and having more left-overs. I truly have much to be thankful for.

It is so easy to feel ‘dis-content’ with all the social media that surrounds us. Always pusing us for more, bigger, better, to keep up with everyone else, we need this that or the other thing, etc.  Acquiring more ‘things’ can’t give us deep down contentment. We need to step back and seriously think about not following the whims of the materialistic world that we live in. Be free to be ourselves, to be different. To live a calmer and more peaceful life.

Did you know that our minds process 60,000 thoughts a day, and 80% of them are negative. WOW!  It’s no wonder we are not content.

Let’s start today, if we haven’t already, to live in each and every moment we are blessed with. Bad and upsetting things and circumstances can still come our way, and hopefully through them we will become better people, growing stronger. When negative thoughts pound on us or sneak up on us, let’s think of what we have to be thankful for.

Earlier this morning there was a lovely cloud formation when I went outside. I just love those colors. All of those lavenders, blues, peaches and grays. (Please excuse the powerlines, they are part of life, there is still beauty to be seen behind them.)

We had a little rain around 4ish this morning. We need more, and there are some gray clouds overhead, rain predicted for later this morning, but time will tell. Ah, we just had a few more rain drops.

After I finish this post, I am planning to make a loaf of banana bread using up two ‘ripe’ bananas.

Thanks again for visiting and your kind comments. I am blessed.

FlowerLady

This lovely little stained glass window was a gift made by Karen and Carl, of Quarry Gardens blog, after my husband left this planet. Two hearts are joined as one, with a sweet rose in the center, a gentle and pretty reminder of love and life. Thanks again K and C. I see this every day, it is in my south facing window.