Udderly Content

Read: Philippians 4:11-13 Moooooo. “Whoa!” Jordan shouted. He’d been so deep in thought that he almost plowed right into a large brown cow standing in the middle of the path. Uncle Tim appeared in the doorway of the barn. “Oh good, you found Clarice!” “Well, we kind of found each other,” Jordan said. “She wouldn’t moooove.” “Good one!” Uncle Tim grinned. “So tell me, how was your first day? I know it had to be tough changing schools in the middle of the year.” Jordan shrugged. “It was okay. I hope Dad’s job lets him stay here longer. We’ve lived in three different states in four years!” He sighed. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll be happy once we get settled.” Leading Clarice into her milking pen inside the barn, Uncle Tim said, “One thing about feelings, Jordan—you can’t always depend on them to make you happy. There’s feeling happy, and then there’s being content.” “Aren’t they the same thing?” Jordan asked. Instead of answering, Uncle Tim pulled up a milking stool and wiggled his finger in the air. “Come on over here and I’ll show you the fine art of milking a cow!” After a quick demonstration, Jordan was milking Clarice. “You’re a natural,” Uncle Tim said over the ping-ping of milk hitting the metal pail. “And to answer your question, feeling happy and being content are not always the same thing. The apostle Paul learned that as he traveled from place to place.” “Hey, he traveled from place to place like me!” said Jordan. “So how did he learn the difference?” “Paul learned that when you put your faith and hope in Jesus, He’ll help you learn to be content in any situation. That’s different than feeling happy all the time. Contentment is a peaceful feeling that only God can give you.” Uncle Tim patted the side of Clarice, who was slowly chewing her supper. “Kind of like Clarice here. Looking at her, I’d say she looks udderly content.” After laughing together at the silly joke, Uncle Tim prayed out loud that Jesus would help Jordan learn to be content. Even before Uncle Tim said amen, Jordan felt the deep soul-peace that only God can give. –Kelly Hope How about you? Do you find it hard to be content where you are? Do you wish things were different in your life? Even people in the Bible, like the apostle Paul, had to learn to be content when they faced difficult circumstances. When you trust Jesus and remember the hope you have in Him—hope of eternal life because of the sacrifice He made to save you—He’ll help you learn to be content with the life He gave you. Today's Key Verse: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Jesus brings contentment