The Search for Contentment

I was meeting a friend at church because we would be driving together to go to an event. As I got into my over 15-year-old car I thought, “I love this car.” I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with my car. It’s small, gets good gas milage, and it was oh so pretty when she was new. Now that she’s older there are dings and worn in seats and peeling paint. But I love her still, and when hubby says, “It’s time to get you a new car” I protest and say, “But I love my car.”

Well…

I’m waiting in the church parking lot, and I see my friend at the far end of the lot pulling in the driveway in the most beautiful car I have ever seen. It was an electric white Tesla with black trim.

I watched as the car drove through the lot… 

My heart skipped a beat.

This car was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

As she pulled up next to me as I stood in the parking lot I looking at the passenger door—and, I kid you not—I couldn’t figure out how to open it. There was a black strip where a handle normally is, and I stared at it trying to figure out how to open the door.

I’m thinking to myself, “You’re a smart woman, you can figure out how to open this door of the prettiest car you’ve ever seen.”

And I stared.

Thinking.

A bit embarrassed but concentrating with all my might.

My friend opens her door and is heading to my side to open it for me.

“I’m gonna figure this out!”

I started pushing on the black strip and the handle popped out. I am happy to report I opened my door BEFORE she made it to my side of the car.

Boo-yah! I AM SMART!

She graciously said, “Most people need me to open the door for them.”

Confirmation that I am so brilliant.

Okay…

So, now I’m in the car and the interior is even more beautiful than the outside. It had a computer in the dashboard—I full size computer! This car did everything. To say I enjoyed my ride to the event is a huge understatement.

It wasn’t long before I’m thinking, “I want a Tesla!”

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

– Philippians 4:11-12

Have you ever heard this?

Comparison steals joy.

And yet, it is so easy to fall into comparing what we have to what others have. We can be going along quite happy and content and then WHAMMO! discontent creeps in, in the form of a glorious car.

I decided to enjoy my ride in this magnificent chariot and be happy for the experience.

By the time I got in my car to go home, I was back in love with my cute little car.

Have you ever heard this?

Contentment is wanting what you have.

When we focus on being thankful for what we have joy and contentment is abundant.

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.