Enjoy Your Lot in Life

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV

It is so easy to become complacent or downright aggravated with everyday life. When we become discontent with our lives, we are cranky. We look at others’ lives and want what they have. The reminder that all we have (or do not have) is a gift from God really changed my perspective recently. When I strive to make my life enjoyable, I get frustrated. Or if I look to others to create a joy filled life, I get disappointed. God is the one who enables us to enjoy and accept our lives.

One reason I get bored or discouraged stems from how I occupy my mind. If I am always looking at magazines or movies that portray lives different than mine, then I want those things. If I get in a rut of regrets over the past and missed opportunities, then I get depressed. But if I think about all that I have because of God, then my heart and mind can be occupied with gladness. I can list and acknowledge the people, experiences and things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my family. For living in the Midwest. For my heritage. For the opportunity to go to college as an older adult. For our church community. For our home and my front porch where I can sit and meditate on all the good things God has provided. For blogs. For books. For paper and pen. For laugther and tears. I am glad that God has given me wonderful people, experiences and things to occupy my life.