"Bearly" Gettin By!

Hello everyone!  The clouds are hanging dark and gloomy over this October day, but I choose to be sunny inside this heart of mine, for I am striving to be content.  This is a tough thing to achieve, for it flies against everything the world shows and tells us to do.  But the principle and solution for contentment comes to us right out of scripture.  Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13:  "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  And in I Timothy 6:6:  "But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Now for my mentoring thoughts:  Have you ever heard someone reply to the question, "How are you doing?" with the answer "We're barely getting by."  I don't remember ever wanting for much as a child. We had clothes, food, and the love of a family.  What more could a kid want?  But I think the pressure is greater now than then.  Movie star homes and lives, were a real luxury to my generation, but now it is to be concerned as norm.  But striving for these achievements, might be hindering us from being who and doing what God wants. Since others have newer homes, I choose not to extend hospitality or open up my small home to others.  Since others have nicer clothes, I choose not to attend church or bible studies until I can get that extreme makeover or lose some of these extra pounds.  See where I am going with this?  By shutting ourselves off with these excuses, we are really showing our lack of contentment.  

Just some random thoughts I had today.  I hope I didn't step on too many toes, but as I was writing this, I searched my own heart for places where I show discontentment, and there were several.  We're all in this together with the same feelings and insecurities.  Just a reminder for us to be ever grateful and content for what we have!

To go along with our "bear" theme, I wanted to post a quilt top that I got at my favorite thrift shop for $1.50.  I also purchased the backing and batting for $1.00 each there.  Now, I am not a bonafide quilt maker, but I'm content with that!  I am sewing around the bears and am going to try my hand at free motion quilting around the border.  Wish me luck, and if it turns out, I will post pictures. But, so what if it doesn't turn out?  It cost me $3.00 to try and with that I am content!