Finding Contentment and a Give-Away

I am super excited to introduce you to my friend Christy Long. She wrote this guest post today AND she has a super fun give-away at the end. I hope you all enter!

Contentment in God Alone

..if the unbelieving spouse walks out, you’ve got to let him or her go. You don’t have to hold on desperately. God has called us to make the best of it, to live as peacefully as we can. 1 Corinthians 7:15 (The Message)

Walking along a stretch of South Carolina beach on a June evening a decade ago, I had an honest conversation with God. Pouring out my heart to my Heavenly Father, I told Him I was ready for whatever He had in store for me…even if that meant raising my children alone.

It was my moment of true and total surrender.

At age 30, I had just gone through the most hurtful and devastating year of my entire life. My husband had left me when I was seven months pregnant with our second baby. That baby boy was now a toddling one-year-old, and his sister was almost four. Our divorce was to be final on her birthday later that month.

Hardly content with my circumstances, the single mom life was never something I had imagined for myself. As long as I could remember, I had dreamed of getting married, having a boy and a girl, living happily ever after and growing old together. There was even a stone by our roses along the front walkway of our home that said, “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.”

The best? Really,God?

My current situation was a disappointment, an embarrassment. I felt cheated out of the normal, happy life I had expected.

My husband had moved on. Once I had desperately prayed for his heart to change and for God to save my marriage.

When that prayer wasn’t answered, I tried desperately to make things happen for myself.

What I really wanted was to be rescued. I didn’t want to be alone. I felt weighted down with responsibility. I had been so angry, but most of all I was scared. And I had been getting in God’s way.

As I was having this conversation with God, right there on the crowded summer beach, I realized I had been unwilling to accept my set of circumstances. Furthermore, my contentment had always been dependent on other people.

It struck me that God was the One I needed more than anything else. The One who would never leave me. The One who would always be faithful.

So under the Carolina blue sky and the rushing waves, I let it all go. And I have never felt closer to my Heavenly Father.

Deciding to make the best of things, I embraced my new calling as a single mom, asking the God of the Universe to help me raise my children alone. I remember sneaking in a prayer about a soul mate, “if there is anyone out there, God…” and thinking how impossible it seemed that there would be anyone left for me. Surprisingly, I had peace.

As it would turn out, He did have someone for me.

But first…God had to become enough.

Oh, I love my husband and my now 3 kids. I thank God for the gift He has given me. He knew the plans He had for me all along, and they were for my good.

I feel like I’ve lived another lifetime in ten years. The pain from my divorce is a distant memory that my Heavenly Father has lovingly healed.

However, I’m not sure that I would have ever reached a place of true contentment without experiencing those trials. Thankfully, God used it to teach me what is perhaps the most important and unforgettable lesson of my entire life – finding contentment in Him alone.

What about you? Is God enough in the midst of your current situation?

Is there an area of your life where you are feeling less than content?

If so, why not have an honest talk with God? He already knows your heart, and He longs to fill every void.

Father, I thank You and Praise You that You love me so much that You care about fulfilling the longings of my heart. Lord, forgive me when I have searched for other things, whether it be material possessions or people, to give me a false sense of contentment. Help me to always seek an intimate relationship with You first, allowing You to fill every tiny crack and crevice of my heart. And that You would always be enough for me. Amen.

For His Glory,

Christy

…I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 (The Message)

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. Psalm 71:20-21 (NIV)

For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5 (NIV)
(c) 2011 Christy Long. All rights reserved.

Christy has graciously agreed to give-away a copy of her book, God Keeps His Promises. To enter this give-away like Christy’s Facebook fan page (click here to get to her fan page and then click the LIKE button). Next leave a comment letting us know you liked her page. The winner will be randomly selected from the comments. The give-away ends at 5 PM (CDT) Sunday September 11 and the winner will be announced on Monday September 12. I can’t wait to see who wins!