Contentment

I had a great day today of catching up with friends in Oregon/Washington. My beautiful friend Lindsey in Vancouver is having a hard time transitioning from the Canyon into the busy crazy city life. I just happened to catch her when she really needed a pick-me-up and I did too.

Have you ever had one of those friends who you know God has placed in your life for a reason? Lindsey and I have decided that we are so much alike its scary. We are going through the exact same struggles right now. She feels cramped because she is living in someone else's basement. I am living in the loft at my parents. She is having a hard time believing God has a plan. I have been struggling with that for a month.

The other day Bryan and I were sitting down trying to sort out our lives and God's plan for it. It is crazy because Bryan is so darn happy all the time! He could care less that we are living with my parents and technically unemployed (though Bryan has been doing some construction stuff). How is he like that? I asked him how he never worries about anything. I mean ANYTHING.

He said (in a very loving way, i might add) "Elise you need to learn to be content."

In that moment I fell more in love with Bryan Goad because he is willing to say the hard things that I need to hear and I felt like that was Jesus nudging me and stretching my faith. The verse that came to mind is this:

Philippians 4:12
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.

So I shared the same thing with Lindsey. We cried together about how hard it is for us to be this way. It doesn't come easy but we have to believe that God has a plan and is directing our steps. I am learning to be content in every situation.

I have food to eat, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back. I have a loving husband and family. What more can I ask for?