Heartlink

In 1947, our family moved to Florida. My summer/winter health pattern had become such an issue that our doctor told my parents to get me to another state with better climate. In the summer, almost without exception my skin erupted in poison ivy outbreaks. In the winter, almost without exception I would get pneumonia. Leaving familiar comforts, family and friends at such a young age was obviously not my choice, but, necessary nonetheless.

It was summer when the move was scheduled. Dad had gone ahead to secure housing and a job. Mother and I were to follow a few weeks later by train. And – guess what? I was covered with the worst poison ivy outbreak ever! The porter on the train was extra attentive to me the entire trip. He made sure I had fresh pillows, a comfortable seat at a window and ice cream! The trip was fascinating to me even though I was so miserable.

Florida was full of surprises! It was H-O-T! There were hurricanes! And, there were lots of things that crawled on the ground that were not good for you! My child’s mind speculated often if we had made the right decision. Jobs were scarce. Therefore, money was scarce as well. At best, our lifestyle was meager. My comfort zone had definitely been invaded. I wanted to go back to all that I knew and all that I had had! With all that was lacking in my young life, it was in this time that I first heard about Jesus!

The newness I felt inside was remarkable to me. Our/my situation had not changed a bit. We still had next to nothing, but, it didn’t feel bad any more. I could not describe or explain “what” had changed in me. My young vocabulary was insufficient to fully understand or put it into words. I just knew I felt content! I was content with where we lived. I was content with what we had to eat. (And some days were surprising!) I was content with what we had to wear. I was a content and happy kid!

Did my contentment last? In a sense, yes. Let’s say I truly believed that God would never leave me nor forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”) But, in my teen and young adult years, I had a running battle with wanting things I did NOT have. It began to affect my contentment. My focus had changed from God to gain. I knew God was still there. I knew He had not forsaken me; but, THINGS and status had become too important to me.

Finally my discontent became obvious even to me. The time had come to re-focus and get real! Without that deep God-based contentment inside, the things and status acquired or obtained had no true value at all. It was like I was back to square one – a little girl having poison ivy in the summer and pneumonia in the winter! Yuck! God, in His goodness, had given me the time I needed to grow; to focus on Him instead of earthly gain; to find out for myself what truly is important; to seek my contentment based on things eternal with Him.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 affirms this: “6) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8) And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” It took me a while to get it, but, I think the move to Florida was good! Blessings to you!

Tina

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