North Stars Pointing: June 2012

Paul, the apostle, once said, " I have learned in every situation, to be content."

I clearly remember striving for contentment, the summer following my first year of college. Contentment that is, that elusive satisfaction found in true, holistic thankfulness. I wanted to be rid of my restlessness.

One morning, with sea breezes combing my curls and my pen and journal in hand, I realized that I had obtained it! Joy! I, at the tender age of 20, had reached a peace as to my lot in life and what Paul had said didn't seem to be so terribly hard after all.
However, after I enjoyed its presence for a week or so, it disappeared to my great consternation and discouragement. And then it returned... only to yet again, vanish! After this strange contentment tide cycle had washed the confused shores of my mind several times, I turned frustratedly to my mother, a wise woman who has learned to read all the words, not just those that seem applicable.

"I was content!" I bleated into the phone. "And Paul said it was learnable." "Yes, sweetie, but he said in every situation. Do you really think he conquered his dissatisfaction, frustrations and restlessness in one moment of time?" *thoughtful silence* "No... I guess not." "Well then, how many situations did he go through, learning the same lesson each time?"

Then I saw why it is the challenge that it is. The choice in every circumstance. And so, we go on...

We are really blessed here as we wake up each morning, looking out on the spire of Untermuenkheim's church in our little scoop of German village cuddled among the hills of forest and farmland. We cannot get over the beauty of the nature around us. A twelve kilometer, Day of Pentecost hike showed us even more of this land's beauty. But as usual, little things come around that challenge our gratitude... more specifically, my gratitude. For instance, a couch... now that is small! Yet when we received a sofa (after living for a couple of weeks sitting in the bedroom and in the kitchen) only to find that it had been previously owned by a smoker and had inherited cigarette fumes, I was challenged. Oh, Paul, how much I have to learn! It was not persecution or sickness or death. It was a couch. (albeit one that graciously shared its stink.) The long and short of the story is that we had to ditch it after a long sun bath and liberal sprinklings of coffee grounds, vinegar and baking soda. We were without a couch again. Yet, its absence put us to mind of all the people in the world who go without so much more and we found contentment for what we do possess. We have so much. You can be happy without a couch, world! Now, however, thanks to the kindness of our sweet landlords, a neighborhood wide request was made and now we have a low settee that we can sit ourselves upon. How much more we appreciate sitting in the living room, after the absence of that luxury!

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. Phil. 4:12 NIV

Beyond couches and hikes, we are enjoying our new life here. Some semblance of routine is forming and it is a delightful feeling. We are hoping now to find opportunities to meet more people and form new connections.

However, as we return to the Netherlands for a friend's wedding this coming weekend, we are reminded again of the flat-lands. And on that theme we would like to introduce the topic of our next post: The Dutch in Nine

It will be a celebration of and a closer look at the country that birthed the most amazing man that a girl could ask for! Until then, tot ziens... Auf Wiedersehen!