What my Small Town Taught Me

Lessons in Contentment

                                “Your family and closest friends know you better than you know yourself.” As far as I’m concerned, this is a scientifically proven fact. As I sat at a coffee shop with a dear friend from high school yesterday, we talked about what it is like when we come home from college. We spoke about the

During the spring semester of my Sophomore year, my dear friend Heather knocked on my door holding some note cards. (A little disclaimer about Heather: She is one of the most thoughtful and spiritually encouraging people I know. She has a way of gently calling you out on things without even realizing what she is doing.) Anyway, Heather is standing at my door holding some notecards with verses and various encouragements on them. She did this because I had recently told her about some anxiety issues I had been having. I gave her a hug, thanked her and she left my room.

            As I read through the notecards I found one about contentment. The card had some “guidelines” on it, they were gentle suggestions on how to live a life of contentment. I hung it on my wall as I do with most notes that people give to me and I didn’t really give it a second thought. Almost five months later, sitting in a coffee shop in my home town I realized… I have a major struggle with being discontent. Heather realized this months ago, and I am just now recognizing it in my life. Why, may you ask, did it take me so long to come to this realization?

            I blame it on the city. I am in love with Omaha, I thoroughly enjoy going to school there and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. Having said that, I am often busy in Omaha. There are endless chances for entertainment and distractions, allowing me to never have to be still. When I come home there are about three options if I want to actually go do something (entertainment value of Holdrege lowered for dramatic effect). I have found myself itching to go back to school, simply so that I have something to do.

            As I sat at Bible study the other evening the girls and I started to talk about being still and “rest”. There are endless verses that talk about being still and being quiet, resting in the Lord. The idea of simply being still and resting are extremely foreign to me because of the society in which I have grown up. It is so easy to access entertainment and distractions when I start to feel discontent or unsatisfied. I was convicted of the fact that whenever I feel discontent or restless I simply busy myself. I do the EXACT OPPOSITE of what the Bible tells me to do.

            Being back in my small hometown this summer has taught me that life isn’t about being “on the go” all the time. It has taught me that sometimes, it is alright just to rest, to be still. Only once we are still will we truly find the contentment in Christ that we are meant to find. I encourage you, take time to rest in the presence of God. Slow down and stop glorifying busyness. Take a moment to really listen to what God has to say, truly allow Him to speak to you in the quietness of your heart.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30~