|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "I Love To Hear The Story"1 (Lyrics) |
Philippians 4:11-13 – Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (NASB)
One of the benefits of living in my lovely new residence is the privilege of meeting many people. I discovered that a woman who recently arrived had been a nurse at the hospital in Collingwood, Ontario, during the time that my son was born there in 1958.
My son was having dinner with me when that lady passed our table to sit with her husband. I told my son that she had been a nurse at the hospital where he had arrived into this world.
He said, "I don't remember seeing her!" After the laughter died down, I suggested that she might not have worked the night shift that March day. He did arrive at 4 a.m.
Thinking back to those early days, I began to remember many situations when it might have been considered tough, but when my wife and I felt content.
Our first apartment back in Canada from India had one bedroom. We put our son's crib in the bedroom and we slept on a pull-out couch in the living room. It was all that we could afford, as I was studying for my accounting degree. It was frugal. But we were content!
A kind lady from our church stayed with our son while his mother went to work as a nurse and I went to the accounting firm. When our second child was close to arrival, the lady told us that while our son always appeared happy when we left and returned, in the interim, he would stand at the window and cry. We realized then that it was best if at least one parent were at home.
After our daughter arrived, I continued Monday to Friday, and my wife worked as an emergency room nurse on Saturday and Sunday. My trainee pay was $200 per month — enough to pay the rent. My wife was paid $25 for the two days — enough to buy the groceries. It was tight. But we were content!
We celebrated my graduation (and the opportunity to make more money) by purchasing a jug of milk. We didn't like powdered milk, but it was less expensive and all we could afford for five years. But we were content!
As I was writing this, a staff member commented how everyone always seems to want more. They are unhappy when they don't get it, and they want still more when they do get it!
We would all be wise to follow Paul's admonition in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 – "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to be content with what we have. May we ever seek to put You first, knowing that all good things are given to those who trust You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – In Ghana — Pray for wisdom as I help cover the personnel coordinator role for the next few months, that I would be an encouragement to the team. Praise God for opportunities to study the Bible with several young women through the week; pray we grow in our knowledge and love for the Lord.
fractures: "Update February 10, 2025; Jacquie's surgery was postponed due to emergencies. Hopefully it..." 
Unless it is more of God.
A great reminder, Vincent.
Hi Vincent. I love your content attitude!
Hi, So nice to hear your thoughts and reflections. Blessings.
Thank you for your thoughts. So true!!
(B.C.)
Enjoy your writings we also had a son in 1958.
(ON)
Thanks for sharing that Vincent. A good message to remember. We have so much to be thankful for.
Thanks for sharing today’s devotion Walter, it was very inspiring, may the Lord let his light shine upon you as you continue to do his good work.
Thanks Vincent, to learn to be content, is indeed one of the most valuable lessons anyone can learn.
Blessings.
Thank you, Vince, for another great one. How true it is just to be grateful and content with what we have. We are so fortunate to have the best with Jesus and to look around and see so many without.
God bless you, God’s ray of sunshine!!
Vincent, that is the best that you can do at the time. We were at the same boat as you were then those days.
I could easily feel how you guys felt. But we too were happy.
Thank you for the message.
well said.
Shalom to you and your family! Yours is a story of great courage, commitment contentment! One of the major problems in our society is the continuous Demands of the “I want it!” generation. I wonder what the world would be like if ads were banned on Television?
Blessings.
Dear Vincent,
How great the gift of being content with what we have. You explained it very well, bringing back my own memories, and the wondrous joys of God, therein. You and your writing are a blessing to others.
(USA)
My first full time job was as a junior stenographer with the Ontario government, pay $110 a month and we worked Saturday morning! We paid $20 a month for an apt for my mother and me. And I was content!
Oddly enough, many years later the knowledge I gained in that job proved invaluable as I learned how government works.
There’s just something I find special about your writings. They are non-apologetic and received by reader in the same Spirit by which they were given.
I personally find your devotionals instructive, reassuring, written with wisdom, and experience and delivered in love. Thank you!
Greetings Vince,
Thanks for another special devotional. A good reminder that we can be just as content with meager belongings as with plenty. Philipians 4:13 is a special Biblical verse to me as it was my constant mantra when the doctor told me I would not walk on my own after my accident but by believing in the Lord’s promise in that scripture I struggled through many months of physiotherapy and have been walking ever since. Praise the Lord. He is awesome!
Blessings to you and appreciation for your writings.
(B.C.)
A good start to the day Vincent. Thank you, so much for sharing with us.
I think that it is only in maturity that contentment comes to many.
When our sons were babes, my husband and I lived very frugally too. It is a matter of prioritizing. Like you, we had very limited means and did without a great deal. I cannot say that I was always content at the time. It was difficult being a new mother on a very tight budget, but we made it, and our lives benefited in later years because of our discipline.
Enough said really. Keep writing. You’re an inspiring beginning to a day.
Blessings
(ON)
Thanks Vincent, for sharing this touching story in your devotional. Your testimony encouraged me. Blessings.
How like our life in the 50’s! I chose to be home with my babies.
Less money but the joy of being home was there.
Powdered milk, garden produce, sewing clothes.
Yet God looked after us and we have had more than our share of blessings.
Dear Vincent,
I just wanted you to know how very much I enjoy your devotionals. I have found they really inspire me. I always look forward to yours. Thanks so much for sharing your talents with me, they are amazing. I really liked “Be Content”. Wow, that sure hits home and I pray that I will always be content with what I have and pray that I will take more time to share what I have.
Thank you so much, you’re such a Blessing.
(Ontario)
Thanks, Vincent,
Be content, for God has promised to supply all our need – in Christ Jesus.
See Philippians 4:19.
Keep writing,