But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV)
I was frustrated. It seemed that I could never get ahead of the pile of dirty dishes collecting by my sink. There were always so many things calling for my attention; the children, the telephone, a meal to get, preparing for the next church event, and on it went. One day as I was lamenting another pile of dirty dishes, the phone rang. It was my friend whose husband pastured a church in a neighboring community. She was bubbling over with excitement. The people in their church had just had a dishwasher delivered to their parsonage!
I tried to respond enthusiastically to her good news, but in my heart I immediately felt jealous. As soon as we were off the phone, I grumbled to myself. Why couldn’t the people in our church appreciate all the time and effort I put in to helping out at the church? Why didn’t they see how much a dishwasher would help me? I went back to my dishwashing muttering and grumbling to myself. I knew I shouldn’t be jealous, but it just wasn’t fair, I told myself.
Several weeks went by and gradually I began to appreciate my time at the kitchen sink. It was there that I could quiet my heart enough to hear the still small voice of my Savior. One day, he put an idea on my mind. I should start a Bible study with some of the women from the church. But I argued. Who would come? Everyone was so busy. But the prompting persisted. Finally, I told the Lord I would at least ask some of the other ladies, but I was sure they would refuse to come. To my surprise, such was not the case! Four or five actually indicated an interest in coming. And so I added one more activity to my plate.
I began to realize that my first reaction of jealousy to Jane’s good news was gone. I was content. I no longer felt slighted because I had no dishwasher.
Then one day out of the blue, my parents called. They had something they would like to bring to me if I was going to be home. They lived about 3 hours away. I couldn’t imagine what they might be making a special trip just to deliver to me. When they arrived, in the back of their station wagon was a portable dish washer! They had been in an appliance store and had seen a great bargain on it. After discussing it, they decided t o surprise me with it. I was stunned. It was so out of character for my parents to do something like that! I was also thankful that the Lord had helped me overcome my jealousy and become content with what I had before he had allowed me this blessing.
Many years have passed since the day of the dishwasher. I’ve lived in 11 different homes since then. Sometimes I’ve had a dishwasher and sometimes I haven’t. Our little cabin has no room for one now without sacrificing a lot of kitchen cabinet I need for storage. Yet I am content and can say with the Apostle Paul, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)