Most of life is lived in the routine. It may be in the daily raising of children, changing diapers, fixing meals, doing laundry, making the bed and walking the dog, or perhaps it is scraping snow off your car to go to work, or it may be some combination of all of this. In the mundaneness of life, I always look forward to our next “great adventure”, whether it is a vacation, baseball game, conference or concert. We may most remember the mountaintop experience of an inspiring theology conference hearing 5000 people sing together and listening to some of our favorite speakers.  But you can’t beat worshipping God at our church every Sunday with our Pastor that has served and preached faithfully for 30 years, in season and out.
My wife Tammy and I enjoy simple routines such as reading a good book, taking in a beautiful sunset, or spending time with our family and friends.  We have a lot to be thankful for, and thankfulness leads to contentment.  Breathe in that wonderful fragrance of fresh cut grass or baking bread.  Turn on your favorite music and dance like Elaine on Seinfeld.  And there’s nothing like a big gut laugh while watching Seinfeld.  Or how about a warm shower and your head hitting the pillow after a long tiring day?   Sweet.
As believers, we need to learn contentment in whatever situation that God has placed us, just as the Apostle Paul did when he wrote in Philippians 4: 11-12:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Other great verses on contentment are:  1 Timothy 6:6–10, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 and Habakkuk 3:17–19.
I recently read and resonated with the article “Mundane Blessings” by Mary Beeke in Tabletalk magazine. She tells us that most of us live lives of routine, and that’s fine, because the everyday events of life are a blessing. Every moment is a gift of God. If we don’t think so, consider what your life would be without the sameness.
A longtime friend and a charter member of our church who had served as a deacon for twenty-seven years went to glory after a brief illness. For his dear wife, life is suddenly completely changed. She will long for the routines of her life living with her husband. You may have experienced a similar loss, be it a loved one, a job or a close friendship. You long for when things in your life were steady and routine.
We need to see the joy in living our mostly routine lives. Beeke goes on to write that only believers in Christ can truly enjoy life because we have hope – hope that flows from trusting God for life and for eternity. She encourages us to heartily enjoy our mundane blessings, and to pray for open eyes to see His everyday graces as He holds your hand in His.
Are you able to enjoy God’s ordinary everyday blessings, or are you always looking forward to something bigger and better? Please share your thoughts.
How about getting together a book club and reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs in our pursuit of peace, contentment and joy.  Then write a book review for us!