To Be Content

To The Editor:

In the Dec. 3 edition of the Fayette County Record, there was an editorial cartoon showing Charlie Brown with his Christmas tree. Charlie Brown was making a comment that Americans should learn how to settle. I understand what the cartoonist is trying to get across, but I think a better phrase would be that Americans should learn to be content. Settling infers that you are accepting something that is less than satisfactory versus being content which infers that you are satisfied with what you have. Being content with what you

Being content with what you have is easy to say but hard to live. Before you can be content you have to be grateful. I think this is what Charlie Brown was trying to get across with his little tree was that we need to be grateful for what we have. The great thing about being content is that you can be content even when things aren’t going well. Contentment has nothing to do with your circumstances. And contentment leads to joy and peace even during those times when things aren’t going well.

I have faith that God is in control of this world and that includes me. That gives me great peace and leads to contentment and joy (most of the time). I have much to be thankful for and it’s not all about what I own. I have great family and friends, I love my church and church family, I live in a great community and I could go on and on. But I’ve also lost friends and even family and church have issues at times. Jesus was born, died, and rose to provide a way through the sins of this world and reconnect us to a caring God. During this Christmas season, I invite you to look around for what you can be grateful for and then thank God for what you found. If you’re struggling to find something, re-read the paper. There’s always something good happening in Fayette County.

May you have a blessed and merry Christmas.

Tim Pylant

La Grange