The One Thing You Must Know About True Contentment

by Rita Schulte

Bella. That’s what my husband calls her; a middle name that portrays her beauty. She runs and jumps into my arms—such joy, such excitement. A delight to my soul, such is the blessing of grandbabies.

As we play, I watch her. Life is simple.  She mothers her dollies and her baby sister. She is content.

Prayer finds me.

I notice my wishes, that I could keep the world from moving in and dismantling the joy and contentment of such simple moments in her life.

How can I demonstrate a life that teaches her this discipline in spite of my own wandering heart?

Genuine contentment flows from what I love, and sometimes I don’t love wisely.

The little one teaches me that only one thing is necessary for contentment. Presence. The giving away of the heart to the one you love.

I feel it when she reaches for me in the night when she’s afraid. She touches my face for assurance. Presence calms her. She asks for her song. I sing. Contentment comes. We’re both satisfied with the unspoken love between us.

The contentment Bella brings draws me to His love.  This love we were created for, it paints a picture on the canvas of our souls and opens our hearts to experience the joy of true contentment.

Until the world steps in, and I become aware of all of things that lead me away from the one thing that is most necessary. Presence. His presence.  Ann Voskamp says: “Every moment my inner heart is saying No to the God of the universe—I am saying yes to the enemy of my soul.”

Why is it so hard to remain content with perfect love? Why do I wander? Chase after idols of career, success, relationships, control—believing they will somehow fill me?

I say I desire contentment in Him, yet I choose a divided heart.

I say I desire His peace but I allow chaos.

I say I desire solitude with Him, but seldom take the time to be still.

Whatever direction I allow desire to take me in will determine the condition of my heart. If I choose unwisely true contentment will elude me.

God uses the little one to remind me. She whispers in my ear—a secret. We giggle. She tells me not to concern myself with the duties of the world, there’s more important work to do together. She tugs on my hand, the urgency of our mission pressing.

“Play,” she says, and invites me to step into the wonder of contentment that requires only presence.

The sweetness of presence connects us and makes our world together come alive. It’s about knowing and being known. It brings me back to the Father. Back to the presence that stirs my heart and reminds me that He invites me moment by moment to experience contentment, just as the little one does, tugging at my heart to know and be known in a way that no one else can.

Jesus is calling us, beloved. Will we accept the gift of contentment, the gift of His presence?

{In what ways are you saying “No” to God? Leave us a comment below and be entered to win this month’s gift package!}

 

Rita Schulte is a licensed professional board certified counselor. She received her B.S. in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rita has a private practice with offices in Fairfax and Manassas Virginia where she specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders as well as grief and loss issues. She also hosts “Heartline Podcast” where she talks with top leaders in the Christian counseling and literary world about cutting edge issues affecting the hearts and lives of people today.  

 

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