“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
Definition: satisfaction; easy of mind
Kids Definition: being happy with what you have; not wanting something more or different
Reason Chosen: I once heard, “Much of our unhappiness results in comparing ourselves to others.” I have been becoming more and more convicted that we aren’t focused on the right things when it becomes all about wanting more and more for ourselves. It is definitely something that it is a struggle. Seeing what other people might have, look like or excel at, naturally makes you want that. Just because it feels natural doesn’t make it right or healthy. The Bible teaches it differently. It teaches to be content. If you want to be first, you must be last. It’s about looking for the good and benefit of others rather than always needing to be on top. It’s about wanting and having less and giving more. What admirable goals. I have also heard it said that the problem with Facebook is that we are constantly comparing our worst days to other people’s best days. I could understand that this could happen with my blog. You may be reading and seeing all of the fun stuff we are doing. You may, very mistakenly I must add, think I’ve got this parenting thing down, and we have it all together. I don’t often post the photos of my kids pitching a fit or me losing my patience. Who wants to post those things? The ugly things. Just throwing that out there so you can be more content in your own parenting – still striving to be better and intentional – but knowing and being OK with the fact that you’ll never “arrive.” A lofty but admirable goal is to become content with were you are at right now. This wouldn’t be to create a stagnant state without ambition or goals. Rather, it helps you live in the moment rather than longing for something that could be or once was. You can still have goals and dreams without being discontented in your current circumstances. It is all linked to attitude. Teaching our kids this concept as young as possible can really benefit their entire perspective on life.
Word Ring At the beginning of each week, the craft will be exactly the same because we will simply be adding a new word to our already established word ring.
Materials Needed
* Stock Card Paper (I had a whole stack like this – found at any craft store)
* Assorted Sticker Letters (I just bought a bunch on clearance at Michael’s)
* Binder Clips (Craft Store)
* Paper Cutter or Scissors
* Hole Punch
The girls chose a paper style they thought would look good with the letters they chose. We then helped them sound out “contentment.” They took turns finding the letters we needed and sticking them on the paper…they’re kids – the letters will not be stuck on perfect. I then cut the paper to the same size as the paper from last week. We punched a hole in the corner and stuck it on our binding clip. Each week, a new word will be added to the clip in similar fashion. I then wrote the Bible verse on the back. If your kids are older, have them do it themselves. We’ll spend this week learning the word, meaning and memorizing the scripture.
I love this!
I just read this aloud to my four kids driving home on vacation and we had a mini devotional!
Thanks for blessing me today!
karianne
Thank you for blessing me! I love that it inspired you and your family today. Thanks for that encouragement.
We worked on Contentment last month (we only do one a month) and really enjoyed it. Here is a link to one of the things we did. http://itsthelittlething.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/character-contentment.html I’m really enjoying reading your blog and often come here for inspiration when looking at our next character trait. Thanks for sharing your journey. Ainsley
Thank you so much for sharing this idea. I think I’ll use it this week and link back! I love that you are working on character also. I will look forward to seeing more from you. I see you are working on truthfulness this month. We have done honesty in the past, so if you want to search my blog for honesty, there may be some things there that will be helpful. Glad I found you!