Today, I took a little trip on Letitia's school bus with Mathena to visit L's Kindy. This has been a long delayed trip to touch base with the school staff. I went there to ask about Mathena's schooling choices for next year and to also find out about a "Kid's Christian Camp" over the holidays...
Amidst 20 rowdy kids, I overheard the more "mature"(6 year old) kid's conversation. Popular G hops on bus, seats near the cool and noisy boys (B).
Boy: Hey Girl, do you know I have SIX dollars?
Girl: So what-leh? I have SIX million dollars!
Boy: SIX Million? Wah, so many. What are you going to do with so much?
Girl: I told my mommy that I will be able to buy her anything she likes and even a BIG house.
Boy:...(by now speechless!)...
Girl: You know, everynight I have to work sooo hard! I get money from my mommy when I do ALL my homework. I get Maaarr-neee-leh, you know? So I am rich!
My apologies if non of you understand the above conversation as I was trying hard to depict their Singaporean "Sing-lish" which in itself deserves it's own dictionary. Are you shocked? I was... I was desperately trying to think of a way to tell Letitia to stay AWAY from the B and G!!
How do we train contentment? I seem to struggle with this myself.
I cracked myself silly last night when towards the end of our dinner, I noticed that I have yet AGAIN finished everything on my plate. I have been told several times that the KEY to loosing weight and keeping "supermodel-like" is to only eat HALF the portion on our plate. Ha! I licked my platter clean and ALSO had 1 qtr of Alex's steak! FAT chance of me EVER loosing weight!
What's this fixation of keeping slim anyway? I have often portrayed myself as a lady quite confident of her own body and shape. I smirk at the weaker ones who exercise 24/7 to stay trim thin and tort. I am actually no different, just LAZY!
Kids are not happy with the boxes of toys they have around them. They are not even happy to hear of others better off than themselves. We are forever wishing we looked a bit better (at least I am), slept better and lived better. If these kids can't get enough out of life, it's because WE are never satisfied. The grown ups strive for a better home, a nicer car, a higher paying job, the most advance technology and the ultimate holiday trip. The little ones aim for more friends, more toys, more "yes" for all their little requests and the ultimate PS2 game score.
This is me:
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
Ecclesiastes 4:7-9 (in Context)
There's a better way...
Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:10-12 (in Context)
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.
Philippians 4:11-13 (in Context)
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:5-7 (in Context)
1 Timothy 6:8
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:7-9 (in Context)
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:4-6 (in Context)
This is a sobbering reminder to myself. In all honesty, this is a tough act to follow....but it is the BETTER way. Our day-to-day struggles can be so much more simpler. There will be so much LESS "Can I, May I, this and that?!?" and there will be so much less striving. This is my prayer. I am learning to do this:
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:5-7 (in Context)
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