I had a re-epiphany today. You know, one of those moments you learn something again for the first time. We’re continuing our series of Camping on Contentment, and today my lessons had skin and walked around in front of me.
As I mentioned Paul wrote, from prison, awaiting a possible death sentence, to the church at Philippi:
“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13).
We’re on day 3 of this week-long camping trip at beautiful Foster Reservoir outside Sweet Home, Oregon. The landscape is breath-taking, the weather is perfect, and not a wireless signal to be found. It’s heaven. So, my post included the truth, perhaps obvious, that we are often most content when we are without our everyday luxuries and conveniences. But really, as Paul says, true contentment has nothing to do with having or not having, with going all out or going without. It isn’t about the amount you have, it’s about where that amount resides. It is not within, it’s without.
So I saw this played out in two people yesterday, both of whom I respect greatly. One has lived in multi-million dollar, gorgeous homes, has amazing taste, and makes Martha Stewart look like a failing Home Ec. student. She’s truly remarkable. Her quilts and pies and artistic touches always have me in awe. Her homes have been teeming with beautiful art, décor, rare antiques. But because of life’s unpredictable circumstances, she’s now had to down-size considerably. Give away loads and loads and loads of her beautiful things. Suffice it to say she’s given up a LOT.
Here’s what amazes me. She is absolutely happy. I’m watching her hand over thing after thing after thing and she doesn’t bat an eyelash. Her actions echo Paul’s words: in whatever situation I am content. The bottom line is this: regardless of what beautiful things someone has, the important thing is where they reside. If they are internal, that is in the center of one’s heart, where they become what it takes to create happiness, we are doomed to despair and discontent. But no matter how much one has, if it is external, there can be the joy of living with or without luxury. It’s fun to have, but not tragic when it’s gone.
On a similar note, we spent some blessed time with our missionary friends from Africa. Here’s a candid confession—sometimes I dread spending time with missionaries just back from a foreign country because I’m afraid they’re going to look with a critical eye on every luxury I have. What if they see my SUV and shake their heads in disapproval? Will I be able to indulge in our beloved s’mores tradition if they’re staring at me and thinking of starving children? I’m sure this is all in my head, but I get nervous nonetheless.
Here was the refreshing reality. They have learned the Paul secret as well. “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger.” They know how to live in both worlds. In Africa, they live like the people. They live on their level, eat their food, travel with them. And yet, it was so fun to see this woman’s unashamed joy as she recounted coming back home and just standing and staring around her house, amazed all over again at how beautiful it is. Not ashamed of it, just purely thankful for it. Embracing it. Enjoying it. And, she was thoroughly enjoying the camping festivities—the BBQ, the boat rides, the lounging by the campfire. There was not a hint of disapproval in her. Bottom line? She knows how to live in plenty and in want. She can enjoy the things that we are blessed with here in the United States, and she can live as happy as a clam without them in Africa. Why? Because things, comforts, are external to her. They are not what create her happiness.
That, is the key. In these two women’s lives I saw the example of those who are comfortable in two worlds. They understand that God does give us wonderful things to enjoy. Perfect example: Tonight I had one of the sweetest moments of my life: A glorious evening boat ride, in the warm gentle breeze, watching my husband wakeboard while holding both my precious children on my lap. Kissing their cheeks, all smushed up by the lifejackets, breathing the perfect scent of their hair, listening to their squeals of laughter as they watched Jeff splash and jump and crash in the cool water. I told my dad, “This boat is a gift. It has given us years and years of our most precious family memories.” My very earliest childhood memory, at just two years old, is of boating. My entire life is sprinkled with amazing boating memories. I never dreamed I’d one day get to enjoy these precious times with my own children. And here we are. That silly hunk of fiberglass and metal (or whatever boats are made of!), has been the source of countless joyful occasions. A true gift to enjoy.
So we are free to enjoy the luxurious gifts, when they are given. I love the beauty of my home. I am still in awe of little things like the creamy color of the molding, the beautiful bronzed fixtures, the window above my sink. And yet, last summer was just as wonderful, living in that smelly little apartment that baked like an oven in the sun. I gave the kids rides around the living room in a laundry basket and Dutch spent the afternoons playing in a kiddie pool filled with dirty gravel on the balcony. With or without, right?
So enjoy! Be free to enjoy what you have, without thinking about what you don’t have. Use it, love it, enjoy it, share it, and thank God for it. With or without, we’re thankful and happy. I’m enjoying this camping on contentment thing. Campfire’s out, it’s time for sleep. See you in the morning.