Contentment - Can It Be?

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty”

Socrates quotes (Ancient Greek Philosopher, 470 BC-399 BC)

On a recent visit to my mother-in-law's home, I pondered on contentment.  She will turn 96 in July, still lives on her own and has always lived debt-free, living without a list of wants.  What she has accomplished most Americans would say is just impossible...now really?

But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.1 Timothy 6:6-7

As I strolled through her house, I let my gaze wander around.  I entered this family 33 years ago at the young age of 17.  In all these years, very little has changed in this household.  The house was purchased for $15,000 dollars cash back in the 60's.  The new carpet was installed  prior to our wedding 31 years ago. My sister-in-law and I have painted, wallpapered and installed curtains.   My sister-in-law (age 70) continues to update with little accents - flowers, pictures and gifts for decor.  Meals have always been simple... I don't know if she owns a cookbook.  Entertainment decor and planned events have consisted of the guests chatting around the table.  No HGTV nor Martha Stewart here, and therefore, no sense of competition or inadequacies reside.

The swings in the backyard have given hours of play to eight grandchildren ranging from age 49 to 5 - six are ours, as well as three great-granddaughters.  Other than the seats being changed out through the years, the swings remain the same.  She has never felt that she needed to entertain her grandchildren with modern day updated toys or trips.  At one time, tin cans were placed in holes in the yard for Grandfather to putt golf balls into, which grandsons also enjoyed.  Simple, and yet such a diversion from their normal activities, these creative alternatives brought novel enjoyment.

Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,"  Hebrews 13:5

The hall closet still contains the vintage toys enjoyed through the many decades by grandchildren and great-grands.

A new stove graces the very, very small kitchen. This is her newest purchase, yet rarely used these days.

Other than a new car every two years (always paid for in cash), meals eaten out (dining out is her delight), new clothes purchased seasonally, and a new smaller couch for her TV room....not much has been purchased through the years.  Their money was given and spent on their family for needs.

Everything is spotless and un-cluttered.  There isn't hoarding or dirtiness due to neglect.  The place echoes "this is fine with me" as I have never heard my mother-in-law talk about wanting anything.  She never dreamed of traveling,(doesn't own a passport) or a new larger home, fancy kitchen appliances, furniture or the newest house decor trend... all of which clutter my list of wants. Has she found "contentment"?

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  Philippians 4:11-12

My pondering has stayed with me as I continue to read Little House in the Ozarks . Through all the years, financial stress has never been something she endured. But then again, maybe that is because she became content so many years ago.  She celebrated marriage until her life-long husband made it to heaven before her.  She never grew a garden or clipped coupons and yet they built up a large enough savings to sustain her all these years.  His income was below average, yet all of their needs were met.  She now struggles with the new loss of her physical independence and will ask if her make-up looks right.  Other than that, I would say she continues to be content.  The only thing that she is dissatisfied with is not seeing her family....she never sees them enough.


This piece is preaching to me....may I have ears to hear.  An example of Godly contentment is laid before me to witness.