Fighting For Contentment & Why 50% Off Shouldn't Be A Deciding Factor

Also, will the roadside steak business be on my 2023 vision board?

In my head - every year - December is twice as long as it actually is. Maybe it’s leftover anticipation from being younger and thinking Christmas would never get here…but now it rolls in like something that rolls really fast. (Clever apparently left the building about three deadlines ago.)

Am I done shopping? Of course not. I’ll be rolling into TJ Maxx at some point this week, begging the left over gift sets to somehow become something someone in my family actually wants. Merry Christmas to one and all…here’s an extendable back scratcher.

What To Know

This past Monday, I had a 7:30 a.m. video shoot to get to. Knowing I needed to be pulling out of the driveway by 7:00, I got up to get myself ready, the kids out of bed, breakfast served, lunches packed and everyone dressed in whatever festive attire the school slated for that day (Rudolph Red in case you were wondering) - and right when I put my hand on the door knob to leave…

A panicked, “I DON’T FEEL GOOD!!!!” came from the living room. Followed by -within milliseconds - the sound that undoes me. I think you know. If not, it’s the opposite of throw down.

Welp. Consider everything paused. Because in those moments there’s really no one like mom being there. (Side note: this leads to a whole other conversation about the pressure of working moms and all I’ve learned in the past year about embracing the call to be home + the call to work. But that’s a conversation for another day. Just know I’m barely containing myself from dropping it right here.)

I’ll be honest, I was annoyed. The timing, knowing I was committed to be somewhere, to do something. Knowing what I had planned for the day to get ahead on was most likely not going to happen.

There’s a key phrase that was the root of my frustration - get ahead.

I like traction. I like knowing I’m going in the right direction. I like being confident that I’m hitting my stride.

In summary: I like being sure.

And when my plans are unexpectedly changed…I’m immediately unsure.

So, what do we do when there’s an unavoidable shift in plans? Or, maybe, what you had planned on just simply isn’t happening and there’s no new plan on the horizon?

As Henley slept next to me, puke bowl hovering nearby, I cracked open my Bible to 1 Samuel 12. It’s Samuel’s farewell speech, full of implications about upright leadership, faithfulness and reminders of all God has done up to this point of transition. Following Samuel’s address, God’s people would no longer be ruled by judges, but by an anointed king.

But before Samuel signs off, he does a recap. Inviting the people of God to remember:

“Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors.” (1 Samuel 12:7)

The reminders are also a warning: “You’re always so sure what you need to be sure, Israel - and yet somehow it’s never enough.”

He’s showing a pattern of discontent. A pattern of trying to create certainty within uncertainty.

Stand here, quietly, before the Lord.

If we lived more of our lives in wonder of what God has already done, instead of wandering aimlessly toward what we think He should do - how would it change our response to the unexpected?

Last Monday morning, I sat quietly and reminded myself of all the great things the Lord had done in 2022. I listed each moment of His faithfulness. Every chain He’d chipped away at, every sea He’d parted, every moment of provision in the desert, every dead dream He’d brought back to life.

Maybe you’re at the end of 2022 and still trying to figure out how to feel like you’re going somewhere, gaining traction - getting ahead. Me, too.

But I’m learning the key to contentment is remembering as you dream. These two actions go together. The confidence to dream comes from the clarity in recognizing He who brought you here is still holding the pen to your story.

And He’s not done.

So before you dream for 2023 - or maybe even work up the desire to dream again - can I encourage you to sit quietly before the Lord? Remember what He has done, write each moment down, and let it build a certainty in what He will do…even if you don’t know what it is just yet.

Contentment is in holding tightly to the reminders of who He is, and holding loosely to the plans you prefer Him to use.

A loose grip holds less pressure.

What To Try

Speaking of lists, many of the questions we get asked revolve around the concept of “calling”. I get it - regardless of season, there’s a pressure to answer the question, “What do you want to be in five years?” or “What do you do with your spare time?” or “What do you want to do after…(insert season of life)?”

How do you zero in on your purpose and what does it look like to actually live within that purpose? Something about the end of the year stirs all of those questions - so we did our best to walk with you through the figuring out in the last episode of the year: Understanding Your Calling.

And if all else fails, I have this back-up plan to get into the roadside $20 Steak out of the back of a trailer business. WHO IS STOPPING AT THOSE SET-UPS?!?!

Just admit it. No shame. Just help me to understand. How long have those steaks been in that U-Haul? Tell me the truth.

What To Ignore

To be honest with you, every now and then I’ll just make a purchase solely because I’ve heard someone mention the brand before. No real rhyme or reason - just an over-confidence that I wouldn’t hear about a brand if it wasn’t good.

False.

On Black Friday, I made a mistake. Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation was half-off. And if something’s on sale there’s a 78% chance I’ll buy just because it’s on sale. Need is not important - the good deal takes priority.

Anywho, I bought it. Used it. Hated. It. Used it again after watching some tutorials on application. Still hated it. The effort was for sure there, people.

Don’t go down the route I did. I immediately reverted back to old faithful who has never let me down: IT CC Cream.

Say it with me: Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean we should buy it.

(Still unsure how much I believe this, but here’s to trying fiscal responsibility.)

Hey, I’m really grateful for you all. Every listen, every open, every share was on my list of reminders of God’s faithfulness. He uses you to encourage this whole NOTM project all the time. Lots of gratitude coming your way.