Welcome! Contentment and generosity fused in my life this week. Let me explain.
I keep seeing women wearing compression capris and microfiber shirts. I’ve heard they improve the quality of workouts. This intrigued me.
I squeezed some shopping time into my afternoon last Friday and quickly selected a few pairs of capris and tops at Walmart. I excitedly tried on my clothes, back turned to the mirror as I always do, so the big reveal would be a complete surprise.
My jaw dropped. It wasn’t the surprise I’d anticipated. You know a picture’s worth a thousand words, right? Well, you don’t want to read a thousand words about how I look in compression capris. Suffice it to say they look like thick pantyhose.
Clearly, compression capris are designed for women with long, slender legs. I got those back on hangars as quickly as possible and returned them to the changing room attendant. The tops looked okay, but not nice enough to warrant spending money I’m saving for emergencies to buy them.
I left the store feeling a little let down, but a snippet of Hebrews 13:5 popped into my mind: “Be content with what you have.” (NIV)
I remembered I have plenty of knit capris at home. And these don’t look like I’m wearing thick pantyhose. They look like cropped pants. I pushed the experience to the back of my mind as I drove home.
A few days later, my son suggested trying on a sweatshirt he never wears. Shockingly, it fit me well. I asked him if he had any others he’d be willing to part with. I hung a new-to-me sweatshirt, fleece, and warm-up jacket in my closet a few minutes later. The next day he had me try on a microfiber shirt. We were even more surprised to see how nice it looked. He went through his drawers and gave me three, practically new, microfiber shirts.
It struck me later that day while (you guessed it) walking that God made sure I didn’t waste money on clothes that look terrible so that my son would have the joy of giving me some of his unused shirts.
I’m excited about my new tops and I know the knit capris I already have will look a hundred times better than those hideous compression capris.
I guess what I was really looking for wasn’t new workout clothes; it was a self-esteem boost. My son gave me that. His joy in giving and encouragement about how I looked made me feel like a million bucks. And I know his eyes will light up every time he sees me wearing one of his old shirts.
God often has a better option in mind for us than we imagine. Watch for God’s generosity in your life this week, and he will give you contentment. And steer clear of compression capris.
One last reminder that Fallowfield is hosting an old-fashioned hymn sing on Sunday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. Come and call out your favorite hymns.
Fallowfield is also hosting evangelistic services April 25 through 27 at 6:30. We’ll feature the Reverend Doctor Michael Poke and the Reverend Doctor Fred Monk as speakers.
The Reverend Doctor Monk was Fallowfield’s pastor from 1998 until 2009. He knows his Bible inside and out. I’m looking forward to hearing his insightful preaching again.
Dr. Poke is a dynamic, inspiring preacher. He is senior pastor at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in St. Albens, West Virginia. Prepare to feel the Holy Spirit move when he speaks.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!