Christ-mas Contentment ( Part 1 )

This has been & continues to be an interesting year.

Constant talk of economic woes , job insecurities , & overall
"Doom & Gloom" dominate the airwaves , television & the internet (thank-you Al Gore). I am looking for some relief from the onslaught of negativity.

Maybe my solution is to be found in the Nativity . What about a bail-out from the Christ - Child ? Do you think He could rescue us (me) from the "Money-Man" ? Do you think the Messiah gives a flyin' flip about our (my) financial & or material "woes" ?

These have been topics of minor discussion w/ some of my friends as well as members of the Ninth Ward Social Club. We often talk of "money matters" when we run & also during the business day (thanks C.J.!) . Usually we discuss things such as excess ( Hummers, for example) or wishing we had "this or that" payment finished etc.

However , I am thankful that the people w/ whom I am around the most are a content lot. Even yesterday , during a nice 10 mile effort w/ a couple of N.W.S.C. members , the topic of contentment reared it's head.

On the "home stretch", the former Cross-Country stand out Gwayne finds a "ten spot" less than two tenths of a mile from the finish ! I am sure this was not "luck" as some would deem it , however, I was a little "dis-contented" @ my friends fortune.

What makes you "dis-contented" ? How are you "envious" of another's position or circumstance ?

Try this "tip" as we enter the Christ-mas season........ask the "Holy One" for a "bail-out"....ask Him to give you the gift of "contentment" this season . See if He will not give you the gift of being free from envy & jealousy of other's possessions & positions & circumstances (even if it's finding $ 10.00 while running ! )

Try it.....it's OK to go ahead & open it early !!!

Phillipians 4:11; I am not saying this because I am in need , for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

** to be continued....