I am continuing to write my thoughts to help us through this terrible pandemic. Here is a picture of Sita in church in the past. But this Easter we will be celebrating via Facebook from home. I hope you all find this helpful. Please stay safe and well!
THOUGHTS FROM JANE
BE CONTENT
I jotted down several ideas for writing this weekly column, after Pastor Dennis suggested I do this as part of my “home” therapy! I was trying to decide which message to use. I knew when I was reading my daily devotionals and found this scripture from Philippians 4:11.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I realized how appropriate this passage is for what the entire world is going through right now; despite the fact the devotional was probably written and published over a year ago. I know Guideposts does their publications a year ahead.
I often have compared the state of happiness with being content. We cannot be happy all the time because life has too many uncertainties and bad events including illness, death, divorce, job loss, etc. etc.
To balance those events are the happy times like weddings, the birth of babies, graduations and other celebrations to keep us all going?
Content people are happier than malcontents. It has been my observation that the happiest people I know aren’t reading books on how to be happy and seeking it out; rather they are busy helping others and counting their blessings.
During this horrible pandemic, no one in the world can be happy. Billions of people have had their lives turned upside down. Many have suffered job losses, are not sure where their next meal is coming from, and afraid they cannot keep a roof over their heads. Families are being separated by quarantines and the inability to travel. Still, others are suffering staggering losses of family and friends. We are all terrified of ourselves or loved ones becoming ill.
However, we can still be content and count our blessings every single day. I constantly mourn my old way of life and know it will never be the same for any of us. But then I draw myself up and remember that I have enough food in the refrigerator, a roof over my head, enough money to pay my bills, and apparently do not have this terrible virus. We all need to count whatever blessings we have right now. We need to rely on our faith and continue to reach out to one another. Congregational United Church of Christ is always helping people both within our church walls, and outside of the walls. I call us a mission church. And right now, know we can’t be happy, but we can be content. Stay safe and well.