Contentment’s Backward Math

Pearl Girls Giveaway! How to Make Today Truly Miserable (Un...

Contentment’s Backward Math

Thanks. Giving. These two words tumble through the month of November like leaves on a dusty road, beckoning us to pause and acknowledge our many, many blessings.

Why do we just reserve one month out of the year for Thanksgiving?

What if we could figure out how to turn our sentiments into a lifestyle of gratitude?

Let’s break it down.

Thanks.

Easy enough. It’s the simple act of reflecting joy back to the one who gave the gift. As far as etiquette goes, it’s one of the easiest phrases to embrace and practice. It doesn’t evoke the terrifying vulnerability of an “I love you” and it’s not nearly as humbling as an “I’m sorry.” I can say thank you without even thinking.

And I guess that’s the problem.

Maybe we should be thinking about thanking.

I mean, think about it.

If God is infinite, aren’t his gifts without end, as well? I shouldn’t have a hard time coming up with thirty days of thankful posts. I shouldn’t be stumped for something clever to say during Thanksgiving dinner when it’s my turn to name a blessing. Most appalling of all, I shouldn’t “forget” to give thanks before I dig into any meal, let alone one of many that actually happens on Thanksgiving day. In a perfect world where I am grateful beyond words, the music would cue up, and someone would tell me to shut up as the gratitude spilled from my mouth in a current of thanksgiving that could not be stopped.

But the world is not perfect, and I am selfish, and like everybody else, I find myself wondering what’s in it for me.

When is God going to do something for me?

Giving.

This one is harder. Giving hurts. Giving means that I take something that belongs to me and give it to you. Less for me and more for you. I might not get it back. In fact, I probably won’t get it back.

And yet, there is something so cathartic about giving. Giving is the opposite of wasting. To be sure, I have never missed the things I’ve given away–not my money, not my time, not my talent. Those things are the raw materials that facilitate life change–both in me and in others. When we give, we get to be partners with God in creating something of value that moves people toward a life of meaning. Yes, I will freely give the raw materials that belong to me if it means that I’m a co-creator in helping build something beautiful with God.

Thanks + Giving = Contentment.

We receive and we express our thanks; we get and we give it away. That’s how we live a life of contentment. It’s the opposite of I deserve this. The antithesis of I’ve got this. When I give away what has been given to me, I find that I’m fuller than I’ve ever been. It’s like God multiplies what I have divided and doled out. When you think about it, it’s kind of a miracle. On my own, I’ve never been able to make more from less. But God can, and that’s why I’m content–both when I’m feeling full and when I’m running on empty.