“I wish I lived at his house instead of ours.”
“Why son?”
“Because he’s got better toys than us.”
“Well, I bet if you asked him, he’d like to come and live at our house.”
“Why do you think that Momma?”
“Because son, you get to live on a farm and have ponies and horses, chickens, a goat and then some, that’s why.”
Just then brother chimed in…
“Hey momma, why was that other little boy staying at their house?”
“Because his momma and daddy have made poor choices and he’s been taken away from them for a little while.”
“Is he like some of those kids we talk about abopting maybe someday? (No, that’s not a typo…that’s his word for “adopting”)
“Yes son, he’s a foster child.”
When there arose another question from the back seat, “Where was his room of toys momma??”
“He didn’t have one son. He’s leaving their house today to go live at another house.”
“Boys, there’s always going to be people who have a little bit more and a little bit less than you do. Be grateful for what you have.”
I swallowed hard the lump that was rising in my throat as those words left my mouth.
My precious momma has diligently spoken that truth to my sisters and me for as long as I can remember.
Days that we would come home from school or church wanting this or that, like so-in-so, momma would gently remind us,
“Girls, there’s always going to be somebody a little more and a little less fortunate than you. Be grateful for what you have.”
I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard her say those words.
This particular lesson, is one that is no respecter of person or age.
This very same topic presented itself last night while I was having dinner with a couple of dear friends.
Celebrating another year young with my dear friend, when the other friend said something to the effect of, “I just wish I had it all together like so-in-so. Don’t you?”
“She doesn’t have it ‘all together’ any more than any of the rest of us do dear,” was my reply.
“How do you know?”
“Because I know her and have had the privilege of hearing her heart many times. She’s struggles much like the rest of us.
The short version of that part of our evening can be summarized like this.
If her fridge is clean, then I’m sure her laundry is backed up. If her laundry’s done, then her car’s a mess. If, by chance, the physical nature of her car and her house are immaculate, then ask the people living with the said person if she’s a joyful person.
Case and point: none of us have it ALL together.
the Barbie and Ken marriage+the clean, debt free house+ perfect physical appearance+toned thighs +well-behaved, gifted children+health+wealth+ Pinterest-y perfect family photo…
No one, no not one.
Everybody’s got a thing they wrestle with…. wishing _________ was this way and not that way.
Or they’ve got a ___________ but they wish they had a ____________
Linda Dilliow,in her book Calm My Anxious Heart, words it like this
“Contentment is a holy place.”
Our journey to contentment will be ongoing this side of glory.
With all of my heart I believe this song
All I know is I’m not home yet,
this is not where I belong
take this world and give me Jesus,
this is not where I belong
The Lord keeps us needy so we’ll turn to Him.
If you are needy or want-y, longing for more….
cleaner floors,
whiter teeth,
world peace,
a newer car,
a nicer spouse,
quieter kids,
more toys,
Let me encourage you with my precious momma’s words,
“There’s always going to be someone a little bit better and a little worse off than you. Be grateful for what you do have.”
sweet dreams and g’night from this momma with sticky floors, dusty shelves, a full heart,
OH! and a rooster feather in my hair given to me just now by a kind-hearted rascal wearing a wrestlin’ suit
we’re cheering you on friends!
much love,
PS ~and if my momma’s words aren’t enough to settle the storms of your achy heart tonight , hear and heed the wise words of Paul,
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.”
Philippians 4:11
Oh my goodness, this is an everyday battle. I thank God for those as I learned to teach my experience to my child… as my daughter gained the understanding of wants vs needs she was less “wanty” and much more understanding. You are a great teacher and example for those kidlets. Be blessed!
Thanks Karmen:) Without these words, I’ve actually learned this from you many times. Thia is what you live. I confess I probably don’t live it well, yet aomehow my daughter has been trying to teach this for a while now. Makes a mother proud. 🙂 Anyway, this is what I meeded this morning.