The art of being content

Today we have been talking to the kids about learning to be content. We have pointed out all of our many blessings, and tried to drill in the fact that we don't have to have 24 Webkinz just because somebody at school does. We can gladly share our stuff, because stuff isn't that important to us. And if a sibling gets candy at church, we don't need to ask if we can have some too. We can rejoice when others have something to rejoice over. And we can express gratitude even when the outcome isn't exactly what we expect.

We had a late lunch today, so dinner was just a simple meal of green chili and tomato quesadillas. John's prayer for the meal was especially long, as he was trying to prove the point we had been driving in all day about having gratitude. He expressed his gratitude for his wife who prepared the meal, and prayed for Ava and the other kids at the orphanage who were probably eating mush for dinner tonight, and he thanked the Lord for the farmers who work hard and risk losing their fingers when they harvest the wheat and the corn, and the tomatoes, and green chilies that we were about to partake of. And of course, thanked the Lord for the dairy farmer who provided the delicious cheese. And he thanked God for such a beautiful day with his family today, at the zoo, and the sweet lady who we visit at the nursing home every Sunday. When he finished and said, "Amen", and everybody opened their eyes, Jude said.....

"Is this all there is to eat tonight?!"

John and I cracked up. Strangely enough, nobody else at the table got the joke!