{"id":1065,"date":"2016-04-04T18:13:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T18:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/craigfinnestad.com\/?p=1065"},"modified":"2016-06-09T09:52:25","modified_gmt":"2016-06-09T09:52:25","slug":"content-discontent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craigfinnestad.com\/?p=1065","title":{"rendered":"Content. Discontent."},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m working on finishing\u00a0Prayers from The Water’s Edge\u00a0<\/em>in the next couple weeks. I spent more time rereading, rethinking, and reworking this short prayer than any other.<\/p>\n

This prayer is one that speaks to me because I feel I’m too discontent during times I should be content. Seriously…I’m healthy, have a roof over my head, am obviously not lacking food, I live in the greatest country ever, my boys are amazing, yet I find myself complaining and comparing–both can steal a lot of contentment. And I’m too content with the things I should be discontent about. I’m not perfect. If I made some small adjustments in my life then some amazing changes would happen. Or I see injustice or unfairness or pain. And sometimes I could do something about the injustice or unfairness or pain, but I act like the priest and Levite, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, and pass by the wounded traveler.<\/p>\n

This prayer both comforts and challenges me. Comforting because I can can and should be more content with who I am (God doesn’t make junk) and what I have (I’m blessed). Challenging because I have plenty of room to grow and plenty of opportunities to serve.<\/p>\n

Content. Discontent.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear God,<\/p>\n

I seek contentment. Let me be grateful and happy with the life You give.
\nI seek discontentment too. Lead me to growth and compassion.<\/p>\n

I am Your masterpiece. \u2013Ephesians 2:10
\nLet me be content that I am uniquely Your creation.<\/p>\n

You have blessed me greatly in so many ways.
\nI don\u2019t want to take Your provision for granted. I want to enjoy Your generosity.<\/p>\n

When it is raining let me take in the smells and experience Your nourishment.
\nWhen it is sunny let me see the beauty and experience Your warmth.<\/p>\n

May I be content about the things I can\u2019t change and discontent about the things I can\u2019t tolerate.
\nGuide me and lead me as I figure out the distinction between the two.<\/p>\n

Help me to learn, improve, and develop in the areas that matter.
\nKeep creating me and making me a better me.<\/p>\n

Bless me with contentment. Bless me with discontentment.<\/p>\n

Amen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’m working on finishing\u00a0Prayers from The Water’s Edge\u00a0in the next couple weeks. I spent more time rereading, rethinking, and reworking this short prayer than any other. This prayer is one that speaks to me because I feel I’m too discontent…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[78,79,76],"class_list":["post-1065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prayers","tag-contentment","tag-discontentment","tag-prayer"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n