Ephesians 5:33b: And the wife should respect her husband.
Respect is his primary need, his deepest desire.

I Put My Followers First

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

When You Choose What You Got

My oven is so old
that it is still lined in contact paper
from the early 1960's!
This is a picture of the inspiration for today's post.

I took the picture for my mother.  We were talking on the telephone and I was trying to explain a loud noise.

"You know the drawer that's under the oven, where you keep pots and pans?"

"You mean the drawer that use to be under the oven?"  My mother obviously has newer appliances than me!

I laughed and told her that my oven was so old . . .

How Old is it?


My oven is so old 


that it is still lined in contact paper 
from the early 1960's!

That conversation brings us to today's post.

I am happy with my life.  I love my home, my husband and my dog.  Yes, there are many things that I do without but I am happy with what I have.

A long time ago, when I was a teenager, my mother taught me an aphorism (one of many) that nags me to face the truth when I am dissatisfied.
"Life is a rip off when you expect to get what you want.  Life works when you choose what you got.  Actually what you got is what you chose.  To move on, choose it."
I have never surrendered my choice about how I feel.  No person, no event, no activity, no circumstance can determine the way that I feel.  To say otherwise is to lie about it.

When I survey my current circumstance, I am free to choose if I am satisfied or not.

I choose to be satisfied.  Imagine, for just a moment, the impact that choice has on my husband.

My husband is permanently disabled after suffering a massive stroke.  He would be devastated if I even intimated that I am dissatisfied.  Like every man, my husband deeply desires to provide for me.  No matter that he has more than he expected, it would devastate him to think that he could not provide for me.

I never tire of his oft repeated declaration to anyone who will listen, "All I ever wanted was a wife, a house and a dog.  I never thought I could have all of this!"

One year after Bruce and I married we rented a small house in a quiet neighborhood within walking distance of a bus stop and our church.  The monthly rent was perfect for our income.  There were no steps up into the house making it easy for Bruce to access.  Neither of us drive but the garage houses a washer and dryer!

Bruce still doesn't know what to make of the yard.  He hasn't acquired the words "yard", "grass", or "lawn".  We have a deep front yard that he has struggled four years to walk across.  He finally conquered the lawn mower for the back yard early this past spring!

We hadn't been in our home long when we were given a dog.  She was a bit bigger than we had talked about.  We had agreed on a Yorkie but were offered a Basset Hound.

I could carry on for hundreds of blog posts on the blessings we have received since we married but there are other days for that.

It is true that Bruce and I do not have many things that other people take for granted.  But, as he says, he has more than he could have hoped for.

And to be completely truthful, so do I.




27 comments:

Cherie said...

Great post Sharon! Love the pic of your sweet dog and home.. I'm only as old as I feel and look right!

Blessings,
Cherie :)

Penny said...

As always - so very very wise! The Lord is teaching me a lot about being content where He has me for this season.

This message was very timely for me today!

Missed you on iFellowship - so I decided to be intentional and come to your blog all on my own today!

So glad I did!!!!

Weezer said...

What beautiful words, Sharon. I'm not where I thought I'd be right now, but I'm full of peace and happiness.
thank you for stopping in at Weezer's Haven. Come back soon. I'll be back here.
Blessed day,
Weezer
http://weezershaven.blogspot.com

Amy Sullivan said...

Sharon,

Wow. There is so much I can take away from this post.

First, choosing to be satisfied is something I have to force on myself. The typical more, more, more that I see in the world, I see in myself as well. You are correct. We choose to be satisfied.

Second, I appreciate your story of your husband and the "house, wife, and dog". To have more than you ever imagined. That is the attitude that I want.

Karen said...

Amen...you have reminded me of the best choice....

Jerrie said...

Hi Sharon! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I loved your post...I'm not that young of a wife, but I am always looking for encouragement in this area...thank you!!

Rocks said...

Hi Sharon! Thank you also for always encouraging us your readers by your post. I so agree with this..

"Life is a rip off when you expect to get what you want. Life works when you choose what you got. Actually what you got is what you chose. To move on, choose it."

Joan Hall said...

This is a lovely post, Sharon. The Lord is teaching me a lot about being content. I live in an older home (and my stove has one of those drawers under the oven.) I don't always have everything I want, but God provides everything I need (including a God fearing husband).

This is a very inspiring post. (And your dog is so cute!)

Melanie said...

Thanks for following my blog. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Heather said...

Amen! Thank you for visiting my blog and I am glad I visited your blog. Have a blessed day!

Misty said...

Sharon.. Thank you for stopping by and for your encouraging words!

I am in awe at the timing of reading your post for today. God is ALWAYS on time! He has really put things in my life in perspective and showed me within the words you choose today.

Today.. I will call my husband who travels frequently and tell him how much I appreciate him and all he does.

I am blessed to have read this.

Blessings,
Misty

Cindy said...

Very loving and touching post. Thanks for being so transparent with us and showing your gratitude.

Blessings,
Cindy

Mary said...

I had to laugh at the oven drawer! Thanks so much for sharing today. I love when you said "I choose to be satisfied". Blessings on your day!

Unknown said...

This is so fantastic! Your blog is incredible, and so are you!

Whidbey Woman said...

You have such a great attitude! Thanks for sharing this Thankful Thursday :)

Denise said...

Such a great post.

Toyin O. said...

Wow, that is great to see in an age where people have forgotten the meaning of committment! Great post!

http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com

LAURIE said...

Oh my, what a beautiful TT post! Being content and thankful for even the OLD things is a beautiful way to give honor to God! Thanks for sharing. -Laurie

Julie said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. So glad I found yours. Very very inspiring. Thank you!

Pitterle Postings said...

Great post Sharon! So true! I have learned to be content with whatever I have. It seems to provide so much more happiness that way.

Unknown said...

You may be the best wife I know.

And you're right by the way.

Have a great day...from MMB.

Morgan Hagey said...

Wow, what a great reminders. Thanks for that. I'm stopping by from MMB (And The Diet Coke Diet) :)

Heather said...

My first job as a nurse was in neuro rehab, so I have some insight in how difficult it can be to recover from a stroke, for the patient and the family. Your husband is lucky to have you. Way to be!

Saimi said...

You are truly an inspiration! Cute dog by way!!

Shawnie Cannon said...

Sounds a lot like "loving what is". Loved that old saying from your mom. It's superb. I'm going to save it for a lesson or a talk!

Lara Neves said...

This is an excellent post. I was just talking with a friend about somebody else who is constantly waiting on some future thing to happen before she can be happy. It's sad to watch, and it brings home the point that we can be happy no matter what! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and blessings!

Hilary said...

That's a great post. By really looking you do see all the blessings. I'm sure God appreciates it.

Can I get an Amen?