Honestly, I don’t know how my son ended up like this. (Probably one of the siblings being funny.)
But, as you can see, K was NOT happy with his circumstances.
Since no one else in the house would help untie him, he came waddling in to his loving mother, who promptly snapped photographs of him in all his discontented glory.
(Poor little guy.)
However, after I snapped the first pic, a huge smile erupted onto his face and he began laughing…
Suddenly, his being tied up with a rope didn’t seem so bad. He’d found contentment (or at least something to be happy about) despite his “afflictions.”
Paul talks of his contentment in Philippians 4:11…
…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content
Contentment comes from knowing Who is in charge.
K knew that if Mommy was taking the time to take pictures, he couldn’t be in too bad of shape. I was in charge of the situation and he didn’t worry how things would turn out.
If we know Who is in charge and how He is working for our good, then we won’t feel so desperate and so out of control.
Yes, life has many difficult twists and turns and sometimes things feel all tangled up. But remember, what we see is not what God sees.
And while my previous analogy makes a point, let me clarify that God is nothing like a mother who rather than come to her child’s rescue, spends time doing something petty like taking a photograph of her child’s distress. God is perfect and loving toward His children and if He delays, it is only because the time is not right to rescue you from your afflictions.
May you find contentment today amidst whatever trials you may be facing. He WILL give you rest.
*****
Tomorrow you can find me guest posting at Kitchen Stewardship! Hope to see you there!
GapGirl says
Thank You
XoxoGapGilr
Donna says
Ahhh~being content…one of my challenges. Yesterday I was met with the choice of being content or complaining. I’m happy to say that the Lord helped me not complain…and is helping me be content. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Hope you have a great day!
All American x5 says
Hilarious! Looks like what goes on around my home.
Thanks for such an inspiring post as well. The Lord is awesome!
Have a great day.
Amy Raymond says
Thank you for this post! It’s just what I needed this morning!
Holly says
Poor fella! But it’s also quite funny!!
Linda says
Hey, this was a really good post. It was so clear seeing it there in the pictures. We can fear and be unhappy in our circumstances…or we can be content…and even smile.
Thanks! Good lesson.
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Heart2Heart says
Amy,
This is a great post. It brought back so many memories of spending time with my father growing up when we were little. We would beg for him to tie us up, duct tape us and see how long it would take for us to escape.
Thinking back on it now, I can only imagine the smiles it brought him watching us try to escape.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Jenny says
Great post. I needed to read that today, as I am on day 4 of what I can only guess is a weird sinus headache (probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but ow). Contentment is something I need to work on–always has been.
Your son is so cute! It looks like your kids will have so many memories to treasure as they grow up.
Taking Heart says
That is awesome… and quite a convicting message to go along with it! Thanks!
Anonymous says
That verse is so dear to my heart, and funny how you went on to say that God will give me rest. This is the 3rd day in a row that this verse has popped up in my life, and I have to say that I am finding rest in Him. I have been so unsettled with fears and stress lately, yet I took the time to get in the Word. God really gives us what we need, if we are open to receiving it. K is too cute BTW. I find it hilarious that no one else would help untie him!!! Siblings!! Isnt it great!
Stephanie
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Sarah,
Kind of exciting, huh?! 🙂
Blessings,
Amy
Jeff and Sarah says
Off topic, but I wanted to share something that I found on someone’s “Bucket List” a few weeks ago. I was searching out ideas for New Year’s Resolutions with my husband (for fun).
This woman had written “Overcome Imposter’s Syndrome” on her list, and it reminded me of what you posted a while back about how we’re not doing anybody any favors by shrinking ourselves and trying to be clones of everyone else. That “Jesus offers us the opportunity to be OURSELVES and be His…”
I’m resolved to PRAY that the Lord will show me who he CREATED me to be. I’m not going to run out and try a hundred new hobbies to find my niche (costs too much time and money), but I do have faith that God will help me to stop copying everyone else and show me who I am to be!
Just wanted to share what God is showing me!
Jennifer says
I love that….”what we see is NOT what God sees!” I’m focusing on that for now –
Gotta love sibling fun:)
Vicki says
What a cutie!
Okay Amy, OT but remember your writing posts? Well I have been trying to improve my writing but Im not sure its going well. Can you read my latest post and give me some constructive criticism? If you have time. Thanks.
Vicki
Mary Moss says
Too funny! I so get that you wanted a “before” picture of him:-)
Great analogy.
FloridaMom2Seven says
Oh my, I am cracking up! My kids have done this to their poor brother, now I wish I’d taken a picture of it like you did, lol. At least he managed a smile!:-)
Anonymous says
Thank you for this.
God has been teaching me how to be content.
I will say that my favorite secular quote helps me in this area (although the Bible is undoubtedly my standard and preference always):
“You can have a good day or you can have a bad day–so you might as well just have a good day.” 🙂