We are currently on our second trip to Daytona.  This past week back in Virginia was hard.  Not just because we had snow and ice but because we had gotten out of a rhythm.  The tent had been taken down before our first trip here.  We are now making due with everything in the canopy tent.  It was just a disorganized mess.  


During this really uncomfortable week I had a conversation with a friend of mine about our camping experience.  It was a conversation I have had with many people many times over.  "I love camping but I don't think I could ever give up everything and do it all the time."  At that moment I was thinking the same thing.  This is sucking big time and it's not fun any more!  I can't find my long johns.  The bed is deflating faster than ever.  There's no room to sit cause we having bedroom, living room and kitchen all in one.  It's snowing.  There's ice. The tarps are making it too hard to get in and out of the tent.  One complaint after another.  I was having a good ol' pity party!!


This is when God shouts, "SNAP OUT OF IT!"  I don't hear His whispers, I'm kind of stubborn that way, so He usually has to shout to get my attention.  Philippians 4:13 came to mind.  We all know it.  It's a very popular verse.  You can go into any Christian book store and find it on plaques and coffee mugs and t-shirts and key chains.  You name it, it's been printed on.  But, as with most of these popular verses we know just that one small part without reading the whole chapter to get the big picture.  

"I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me.  Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me.  You just had no chance to show it.  Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally.  I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.  I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.  I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." 
-Phillippians 4:10-13 (The Message  Emphasis is mine.)

That's it!!!  Until last week I had been so content in our adventure but one moment of discomfort and I was questioning the whole experience.  We're out here for Him.  We're out here because this is where He wants us.  Hot or cold.  Sunshine or snow.  Bed or air mattress.  It's all for Him.


Am I still going to complain when it's a bit colder than I want or when things get misplaced?  Yeah!  I'm human.  But, I know that contentment can be found just as quickly remembering that His strength, not mine, is what will get me through.