2010: the year of contentment.

according to the traditional chinese zodiac, 2010 is the year of the tiger. (obviously, not this tiger)
but for me, i've decided it's the year of contentment.

i am so unbelievably blessed...i have a dream job, i own a beautiful home, i'm a part of an unmatchable community and have more friends than i know what to do with, i'm constantly getting the opportunity to travel to new places...and yet...it's never enough.
i always want more.

am i the only one who wrestles between trusting God to "give us the desires of our hearts" (psalm 37:4) and being "content with what i have" (hebrews 13:5)??

in philippians 4:11, paul says "for i have learned in whatever situation i am to be content" and this verse is followed soon after by the popular (thanks tim tebow) "i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". i love the way the message version puts it: "i've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances...whatever i have, wherever i am, i can make it through anything in the One who makes me who i am." whatever situation...whatever circumstance...do i believe i can make it through anything?
then, 2 corinthians 9:8 states "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
how? an abundance of grace. why? for an abundance of good works.
God gives abundantly and expects us to give abundantly, too...of our time, our money, our gifts...our lives. so often we are busy looking at greener grasses on the other side of the proverbial fence - comparing and complaining - that we can't see what it is that we can offer...what has already been given. i know that's the case with me.

the grass will always appear greener on the other side.

so, my "resolution" or "goal" or whatever you want to call it, for 2010: to fight for contentment. to fight to see what it is that i have already been given.
and to be grateful.
thankful.
humbled.
honored.
patient.
and content.