Tag Archives: Satisfaction

An appetite for less

 

After nibbling on a few saltine crackers I laid down to rest again, and it struck me. Three pieces of toast, a cup of applesauce, and a few spoonfuls of rice have quite appeased my appetite and sustained me over the last four days. Yet, when I am well my appetite borders on voracious. I’m always hungry for more.

 

Have you discovered this too? Our appetite for ‘more’ grows exponentially as we feed it. Our appetites of every kind become harder and harder to satiate the more we feed them. The more we feed them the less satisfied we find ourselves.

 

I remember primitive camping with our family in Colorado in a place called the Craggs. Everything takes longer when tenting than at home but there is a certain fulfillment found in gathering wood for the fire, prepare a rugged meal, cleaning up, and taking a hike. And there is this realization of how refreshingly simple everything is around you: the wind rustling through the pines, the bubbling brook nearby, the beauty of the blue sky above. There is no need for newspapers, TV, or electronic gadgets.

 

It’s a common reflection of those returning from mission trips to comment on the happiness of the poor children they encountered. I wonder how our constant pursuit of ‘more’ sometimes leaves us missing the simple joy of ‘less.’

 

I wonder what you will find today in being mindful of the ‘simpler’ things in life, those everyday blessings that beg to be discovered. Sit quietly and focus only on your effortless breathing and your constant heartbeat. Marvel in how God designed your body to carry on without your even giving it a thought. Savor a sip of refreshing water in your mouth. Close your eyes and rejoice in the freedom to choose whatever thoughts you want to fill your mind; they aren’t determined by your circumstances. Open your eyes and find one thing of beauty and wonder that you hadn’t noticed before. Listen for and speak a few words of sincere gratitude and encouragement. Choose to praise God for his endless love. Like the boundless waves that wash ashore a mere 100 yards from me as I write, His waves of mercy wash over us wherever we are and however we feel.

 

There is a certain level of satisfaction to be found even in sickness. I don’t want to stay here in sickness, but I don’t want to forget the lessons of a simpler appetite when I am well.

 

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19

(written last week – I am well again)

 

 

Taking out the garbage

 

 

 

 

Are you thankful for trash haulers? I am. Around here, Friday is garbage day. Early every Friday morning some men come around with a large truck to haul away everything I’ve put in the trash cans. I take out the garbage on Thursday night to be sure I don’t miss the truck. In fact, I take out the garbage throughout the week. Probably you do too, because we don’t want it stinking up our house!

 

Maybe you’ve known or heard of someone who hoards things. What we would consider trash just keeps piling up in their home. We might ask, “How in the world could someone live like that?!”

 

I wonder if we took a look in our “spiritual home” what we might find cluttering up the place. Our spiritual home the core of our being. You might think you have your spiritual home all cleaned up. But have you checked it for the trash that crowds out a thankful spirit? Things like bitterness, envy, resentment, gossip, anger, worry, unforgiveness, and discontent are easily hoarded. Of course, we have rationale for why we keep them around. “If you only knew what Sally did,” we say, trying to explain away our unthankful ways. “If you knew the troubles I’ve faced, you’d understand being bitter.” I get it. We all have our sorrows that beset us and threaten our gracious hearts. But when you realize that NONE of these hoarded attitudes do you any good, you may be moved to take them to curb like the unwelcome guests they are.

 

Our spiritual home is where we talk to God and also where we grumble. It is where we give thanks for so many blessings. At the same time it is where we harbor resentment toward others. Our negative and impure thoughts clutter up our spiritual home. Our self-seeking and lazy habits add to the piles of trash that make our home anything but ‘home sweet home.’ Like a hoarder, we may not see the piles amassing. We may not observe how they are crowding and overtaking our spirit. It’s easy to become accustomed to the stuff around us and not be bothered by it. But after a while it starts to smell. And not like a sweet fragrance our life is intended to be.

 

Just as people find it satisfying to ‘simplify’ their homes by removing the clutter, so keeping our spiritual home clean brings satisfaction and renewal. Let’s sweep out the stuff that hinders our ability to live thankful lives.

 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts . . .And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

 

 

My favorite things

In the Sound of Music, governess Maria comforts the children during a thunderstorm by making up a song called My Favorite Things, reflecting on:
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things”
…and concluding that:
“When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.”

Thinking of “Whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens” may help us get through a simple thunderstorm. But which of your favorite things will save and sustain you through the great storms of life? which favorite things make up a fulfilling life? What might our loving God have in mind for us that we don’t yet regularly pursue?

Enjoy God fully today and pursue the very best and favorite things he has in store for you. You may discover that time with him can become your very most favorite thing of all!