It's a strange habit of mine - but I like to read obituaries.  

​All of us leave a story of our lives and I find it interesting to read the thoughts and memories of family about their loved one.  A few months ago I came across this special story from Hertha and a memory shared from her grandson Josh:  

As I read that obituary tears began to roll down my cheeks.  To instill a passion for tithing - what a blessed woman.  Not only did she leave this legacy for her grandson, but also to everyone that read about this special early morning visit.  It is such an important message that I had to share her wish that we would all put money in a jar and wait and see what God will choose to do with it.

2 Corinthians 9: 6-11 (The Message) "Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God."

Today's challenge: find a jar, hold it in your hands and pray that what is placed in it will be used for God's glory and purpose, now start to fill it and continue to pray for direction on how you can give it away!

Learning opportunities can present themselves to you in different forms and moments in your life.  If something appears in my path on my journey of life I often as "why?"

Have you ever had a special "word" for a year?  I have seen the trend pass through my social media feeds but I never thought that it applied to me.  

Since my car accident last September a lot of things have changed and I never know what to expect anymore, so I am learning to take life day by day and moment by moment.  When the word "contentment" kept coming to mind I knew it was something that I needed to pay attention to.

I admit that I have misjudged the word contentment.  I have always thought that it meant to be complacent.  That if I were content I would never want anything to get better, that I was okay with whatever.  

​Oh, how wrong I was!

As I started to research this word - Contentment - I honestly couldn't believe what I was learning!  The first phrase I found was- offspring of humility.  That contentment leads to a more enjoyable and relaxing life.  Synonyms are: serenity, pleasure, fulfillment.  WHAT!?

I began to see how contentment affects all areas of my life and what it can look like.

I can choose to find contentment in my life and that is okay.  It does not be I am settling with how things are.  It's that I can find happiness with where things are right now, they will change and evolve but I don't have to wait until I have my ideal picture of perfect to be content, happy or satisfied.

Choosing to be content has change my perspective on life and it truly has made my life more enjoyable and relaxed.

I enjoy my daughters as they are right now, I want to enjoy this phase of life with them.  They are beautiful young ladies with so much potential.  I can see that so clearly now.

I am content with my relationship with my husband.  After 16 years of marriage we have gone through a lot together and our relationship has grown and flourished.  I am content with where we are right now and I know, because history has taught me this, that it will continue to grow into an even deeper bond.  Recently, my husband and I escaped for a night away to Elkridge Resort at the Prince Albert Provincial Park.

We had a fabulous diner, the resort is amazing, customer service is off the charts.  As we sat by the fireplace in our room we talked about how thankful we are for our home.  We are in this incredible 4 star resort and we are commenting on how our home is restful, comfortable and relaxing.  We were amazed and thankful to learn that we don't need an escape to build our relationship or to get away from problems at home.  That we are content with where we are and what we have in life.

What a peaceful place to be.  I am so thankful that I have found this place.  For years I have always been waiting for the next phase, the next accomplishment before I could find pleasure in my life.

​Now I find pleasure in each day, because I have this day with my family.  I have this day to be a light in a dark world.  I have this day to make a difference.

The pictures above were taken on our trip to the Prince Albert National Park - I live in an absolutely beautiful Province.