The Lovey Letters: Cooped Up Contentment
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Dear Loveys,
Our daughter commented the other day that with the quarantine in place the whole world now gets to experience “mom life.” Isn’t that the truth?! There are elements of “Mom Life” that can be particularly taxing, so I thought I might send you another “Lovey Letter” to encourage you to think rightly while living a stay at home life.
It boils down to contentment.
When I was a young mom with little ones at home, Psalm 16 was my “go to” Scripture for reframing my heart when I craved more than God had provided. Do you know what I mean? There are times when we long for more attention. More activity. More freedom. More accolades. Just plain old more. But the tucked away aspect of “mom life” doesn’t provide for those things. Instead, God hides us at home to train us in contentment.
Giving God glory from the chicken coop means not only coming to terms with this season, but also accepting it as good. If God intended something different for us, we would be living it. If God wanted change for us, He would ensure it happened. Right now, as the whole world experiences the tucked away training that takes place in “mom life” living, God is building something deeper and longer lasting.
Psalm 16:5-6 forms the foundation for a contented spirit in any chicken coop. It says, “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.”
Be Content in Routine
Tucked away, stay at home all day, every day living, speaks—no shouts—routine. It might even whisper “humdrum, monotonous, predictable.” Yet, when we remember that this season in our lives comes directly from the Lord’s hands, we can welcome what God has given—even the unvarying regularity. David reflects that attitude when he surveys his life and says, “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” The language David uses hails back to the land allotments when each of the tribes of Israel were given their share of the land. It can be tempting to look at everyone else’ portion and want what they have, yet David’s attitude is one of God-exalting acceptance of the portion given him. Today, Lord, this cycle of routine is Your will for me. Let me love what You have given, so I can wholeheartedly say, “It is beautiful to me.”
Be Content in No Routine
Though “Mom Life” has lots of routine, it can be filled with constant change that calls you to have a flexible, gracious, self-sacrificing spirit. If you live with another peep, or even lots of other peeps in your little chicken coop, then seeking to serve them or attend to their needs often means setting aside your plans to tackle your “To Do” list. It’s easy for discontentment to creep in at times like this. But Psalm 16:5 says, “He supports my lot,” which means He will help you navigate the unexpected parts of your day. He is the best “customer support” there is. And you never have to wait to talk with Him! Lord, Your grace is more than sufficient for whatever You give me today. Help me to respond with a gracious and welcoming spirit to whatever “different” plans You have for me today.
Be Content in Obscurity
“Mom Life” is an obscure life. And because so much of our days are not displayed, it can feel insignificant because no one sees it. But for the believer, nothing is insignificant. God uses everything for our good and His glory. He sees it all. We’re reminded that, “The eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness (Psalm 33:18).” Knowing that God has a greater purpose for our lives helps us to be content with obscurity. Lord, Psalm 16:2 reminds me that You are my best and highest good. Help me to live for You, so that giving You glory is my purpose in life. If I keep You in my center view, then it really doesn’t matter who else may be watching my life. You are enough.
Be Content in Humbling
When God allows our lives to grow small by cooping us up, He’s training our hearts to grow even smaller—to humble us. Now that sounds perfectly lovely, until we understand that the means God uses to build humility in us involves times just like this—quiet, tucked away, cooped up times. God intends that we learn Psalm 16:8 and “set the Lord continually before us, so we will not be shaken” by life’s circumstances. Today, Lord, help me to keep my mind on You—continually, all day long. With You in my sights, I can grow stronger and more steadfast in faith.
This hidden life may look far different than what we may choose for ourselves, but we can rest assured, it is God’s best for us. In fact, our fenced-in, cordoned off life is God’s perfectly ordained setting for us to thrive within. Psalm 16:7 tells us that the Lord counsels us and instructs us so we can live well in the coop.
Loveys, “Mom Life” doesn’t last forever, but the lessons we learn from this time do.
In the grace of the Lord Jesus,
Lisa
