Being Content

Last night I attended a weight loss surgery support group. There is something comforting about being in the same room with people who share my struggles with food – and with the after effects of the surgery. The ladies in that room understand the complete frustration when your body stalls and plateaus. They have felt the bone-chilling cold. They know that this journey is labor, and they know they have to make good choices for the rest of their lives. The guest speaker was a plastic surgeon – there to talk about the various options people have for plastic surgery after dramatic weight loss.

I will say that I was probably the only person in the room who was not hanging on every word he said. I have already made up my mind that plastic surgery is probably not in my future. (Insurance only pays for a few surgeries, and then only in very rare circumstances.) But even with that knowledge – the before and after pictures were impressive. I understand how the women in those pictures feel better about themselves. Plastic surgery can remove excess skin, and fat pockets (like those love handles that NEVER go away no matter what you do), and it can lift things and put them back to a place that much more closely resembles “normal.”

I’m going to take a scripture completely out of context, but Paul, in his letter to the Philippians says, “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

How much time do I spend not being content with my circumstances? I’m not content with my health – I’m not content with my weight – I’m not content with what I look like – I'm not content with finances - I’m not content with traffic – I’m not content with the faults of the people around me – I’m not content most of the time it seems. I’m not even sure that I know what it means to be really content.

My prayer today is to find that contentment! Contentment, serenity, satisfaction are learned behaviors – Paul says that he has learned to be content. Whatever it takes – that is a lesson I want to learn. I don’t think it is a lesson that can be learned from cosmetic surgery. But when I DO learn that lesson, I want to hold onto it for the rest of my life!