We live in a world that suggests bigger is better and that the grass is always greener on the other side. We try to keep up with the Jones’s. A nationwide electronic chain store now even offers a buy-back program…they will buy back your “old” TV (you know, the one you bought three months ago) when the new version comes out. Because we MUST have the newest version of everything.
I feel the pressure in my own life, too. My husband and our three children live in a modest, just-over 1000 square-foot home with three bedrooms, one bathroom and half a basement. Pretty much every wall, corner, closet and shelf is occupied. And I suppose, if I tried hard enough, I could squeeze my van into our garage in case of a hail storm. But I may not get it back out.
I would love to have a larger home with bedrooms for each of the kids, or at least an extra bedroom that would serve as a playroom…because for some reason our kids refuse to play in our basement. Oh, and I would love to have a dedicated office for bills, writing and all the other adventures I have taken on lately.
I want a driveway all our own instead of sharing one with our neighbor. I want a screened-in patio, a double car garage, a large storage shed, a workshop for my husband, a full basement and a second bathroom .
I want the A/C and DVD player to get fixed in the van and my husband could use a newer pick-up with a bed cover for storing tools and his fire gear. He also would like a raise at his job because he hasn’t gotten one in over three years due to budget issues.
My oldest daughter wants a new dress for picture day.
Oh, and world peace would be nice, too.
But do any of these things actually matter? (Well, except world peace, of course.) Because if we got all of these things, wouldn’t we just find other things that we want instead? Wouldn’t we still want more?
We spend our lives constantly seeking more of everything, except the one thing we should be seeking more of.
Him.
So today I throw my wish list in the fire. I surrender to the fact that there is One who provides all of my needs. Even without my 1000 square foot home. Even without half a basement or….even without actually possessing anything…He is enough.
He is what we need more of.
By Sarah Hawbaker, In Total Disarray
Leave a Comment
Stacey says
Thanks so much for the reminder that HE truly is enough =]
Sue says
Amen!
Nina says
Thank you for this. From one 1000 foot house to another.
Christy says
Great post Sarah. Simple, but so profound. Thank you 🙂
Barbie says
You are so right in that we are always left wanting more. He is the only one who can truly satisfy. He is enough!
Sarah S. says
This is EXACTLY the thoughts that have been swirling through my head as we have moved to a new town/ new cost of living and our budget is left woefully lacking — yet we haven’t missed a meal or crucial bill payment yet! I find myself anxious about the “what ifs” (we have one a few short years away from college) but hear God calling me to trust. I have decided to put in my prayer journal my list of needs (new tires for the car) vs. “heart’s desires” (cute boots that actually fit my ample calves). Because God occasionally gives us both of those things — but He always provides us everything we need. And, yes, He is enough (sing it, Chris Rice! 🙂
Jennifer says
Unfortunately, I long for what the joneses have more than I care to admit. Ugh. He is enough. This year our family has been stripped of things we thought we needed. In our loss, He continues to teach us that He is enough! Thank you, Sarah!
maria says
Oh, thank you so much…I’ve been so aware of that and yet finding myself always drifting back once I made a little progress. It seems to be an ongoing battle to keep perspective but the joy and peace that comes when we do is so worth the effort. Thank you so much for a timely reminder! It is always timely!!
Kristen says
Amen, sistah!
Annette says
This reading was perfect for me today. A gratitude journal sounds like a great idea. So important to be reminded of what we have. But yet easy to see what others have. God is good.
Krishann says
I am new to this blog and this post hit close to home. I can relate to how you are feeling and yet really the only thing we need more of is Him. I am learning that the more I trust him and focus on him and the gifts I do have I am able to more easily come from a place of gratitude rather than a place of want. Such a beautiful post.
Sarah says
Thank you all for your kind comments! I love sharing with the readers…and remember, none of us are alone in this. We have Him and each other!
Dawn says
Thank you for your honesty and courage to admit this. As a mom of 2 in a 1000 sq ft house with NO basement or garage :), I completely relate to these real struggles. I constantly try to remind myself that the size of our home is NOT what matters, but it is the love within that nourishes us and satisfies Him!
(in)courage guest post « My life is like the shoes on my closet floor … says
[…] case you missed it, I had a guest post at (in)courage a couple of weeks back about always wanting more of the wrong thing. What we really only need more […]