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Grace Me

Father, grace me with contentment and joy. The world would have me think my life is not quite perfect, that I need to always be improving my job position, my wardrobe, my home decor, my skills, my personal looks . . . and yet when I focus on You, I realize I have more than enough and I am more than enough to live on this earth in pure contentment and joy. I'm learning improvement Your way is not pushy or demanding . . . it's simply growing inside You. Grace me, Father, with Yourself. Sigh . . .

Psalm 4 in The Message Bible, prompted this prayer. As I read its relevant message, I began to appreciate the power of contentment versus the power of never being satisfied.

"Why is everyone hungry for more? 'More, more,' they say. 'More, more.' I have God's more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, for you, Yahweh, have put my life back together." [Psalm 4 The Message]

Again in Psalm 4, the author is crying to God after running up his credit card again confessing, "Once in a tight place, You gave me room; Now I'm in trouble again: grace me! Hear me!"

Want a picture of contentment? Read Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. "Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart."

Yes! Grace me with contentment and keep me occupied with the gladness of Your heart!

Today, choose to be "graced."

• Take inventory of your blessings past, present and future.
• Welcome the grace of God to bring contentment into your being, your relationships, your daily routines.
• Turn your back on the loud voices of the world that scream for more.
• Enjoy God's more-than-enough life.

Ellene Meece lives in Meeker, Colorado and works with her husband in their natural resource company while running her own online store, http://www.Grandmastreasuresonline.com. Currently, she oversees the marketing for the FMIN Workplace Leaders Network and is on staff at the Meeker Chamber of Commerce.

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