Yesterday afternoon I read about Abraham’s death during a few quiet moments. Not much is said about it, except that he was 175 years old and had remarried and had other children. But in the NLT Genesis 25:8 says Abraham died “at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life.”
A satisfying life. Isn’t that what we all want? I don’t want to be rich or famous. I don’t even want to be skinny or more beautiful or have unbitten fingernails. I want to be satisfied with myself and my life.
I love what Matthew Henry’s Commentary says on these verses from Genesis 25: “Whether our stay in this life be long or short, it matters but little, provided we leave behind us a testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord, and a good example to our families.”
I recently discovered that as an INFP personality-type, I am a “healer.” I want to make everything better all the time. I want to answer every question people ask on Facebook or Twitter. I want to feed everyone, because I think it will make them happy. And I live in frustration with myself because I feel like I’m not changing the world, doing good for mankind.
Unsatisfied.
I focus on all the things I do wrong in parenting instead of what I do right.
Unsatisfied.
I look at my body and come away with disgust, hating myself for doing what I shouldn’t do.
Unsatisfied.
Here is what I do right: I open my Bible and read it and pray. I gather my kids on my lap and read them stacks of books. I tell the honest truth to my friends (and anyone who might listen) about being a parent, a wife, and a Christian. I admit failures. I drink water. I choose playing outside over doing the dishes. I nurse my baby because he still wants to. I keep in touch with my family members. I love with abandon. I try to make crafts. I color. I make silly faces and make up silly songs.
All in all, right now, I feel pretty darn satisfied. Am I leaving a legacy? Doing what God wants me to do? Setting an example for my family? Time will tell, I suppose. I choose to believe that I am getting there.
I hope when I’m “gathered to my people,” like Abraham, I will have lived a long and satisfying life.
Oh Jessie. Thank you so much for the reminder. I love the NLT too! And had never thought of that verse quite like that. I needed that. It’s way too easy to judge than it is to praise, easier to point than encourage. Thank you for calling my attention to it!
Thank you for taking the time to comment and encourage me, Ariel!
I can attest to the fact that you do love to feed people….and that is a tremendous gift! I’ve got leftover pork roast-turned bbq quesadillas going on the stove right now for lunch, and I was just thinking about how blessed we were to get this food from you. It has provided much stress relief, and many meals! I loved that I could turn leftovers into something else almost effortlessly, too! Thank you for what you have given to my family!