Real Satisfaction
It’s been nearly a year since we moved my elderly parents into a nearby Assisted Living facility. After sorting through sixty-eight years of living – slipping precious memories into the hands of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and auctioning off whatever remained – they set up housekeeping in a tiny 450 square foot apartment. We arranged and rearranged the essential pieces of furniture and the special items they couldn’t bear to part with, trying to fit them in and still leave a little space in which to move.
The apartment that had, on first examination, been deemed roomy now seemed cramped and stuffy. It didn’t take long for the complaints about “not enough room to start”.
Week after week my Mom wheeled her walker down the hall to the director’s office to ask for a bigger apartment. Somehow she had convinced herself that their apartment had been designed for just one person. Unfortunately there were no larger apartments available. Promises of being the first in line when one became available did little to smooth their ruffled feathers.
Last week, the director met my husband and I as we walked by her office on our way to visit Mom and Dad. Beaming, she gave us the news that a two bedroom apartment would be available very soon. “Your Mom was here again just a couple of days ago asking for a bigger apartment.” She was delighted that she could finally give them what they had been longing for.
We delivered the good news and took the short walk down the hall to look at the apartment. Spacious and light, it was everything they said they wanted. We hadn’t seen my Mom smile so big in months. She immediately began planning where they would put their furniture. We even took a trip to Walmart to look at small tables and chairs she could put in the little kitchen area. Even the added cost, which was considerable, didn’t phase them. We breathed a collective sigh of relief. Now they would be content.
I called my Mom this morning to get her grocery list. “We’ve decided not to take the bigger apartment. We’re fine here, and I just can’t deal with having to move again.” Stunned silence.
Later in the day, we sat in their tiny sitting area and talked about the move. My husband assured them they wouldn’t have to do a thing. It would all be taken care of for them. No. They had decided the best thing for them was to stay where they were. All things considered, I think they are right.
Riding home, I thought about how timeless this little story really is. Images of the Children of Israel flitted through my mind right along with those of myself. We fix our hearts on something we just know is exactly what will make us happy and satisfied. We do everything in our power to make it happen, and when that doesn’t work we beg and plead with God to please do this one thing for us. We give Him all the reasons and all the complaints, and when we finally hold it in our grasping hands we find it isn’t all we thought it would be.
It is a lesson I’m still in the process of learning – this drawing so close to the Lord my desires merge with those He has for me. Every time I’m able to place my dreams in His strong, loving hands I find contentment and peace – no matter what the outcome. He will withhold no good thing from me, and He truly does know what is best.
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
“For the Lord God is out sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11
Blessings,
Linda
Love this one. Thank you!
really like this
What a great message about contentment, Linda. Thank you for sharing your wise words.