That Solomon is a Pretty Smart Guy

Do you avoid certain books of the Bible? Maybe not on purpose, but are there those books that you always flip through and never actually read? I do. And one of those books was Ecclesiastes. Doesn't that just sound like it's filled with a whole lot of old testament laws that don't necessarily apply to us in today's society? That's exactly what I told Jeremiah the other morning at breakfast when I asked him what book he wanted me to read from and he said, "Let's do Ecclesiastes."

He laughingly pointed out that he thought I was confusing it with Leviticus. Dad, are you cringing right now? Apparently I don't know my Bible like I should :) Anywho, we gave the unintentionally avoided Ecclesiastes a go, and now I am loving it. If God promises to make someone the wisest man to ever live, it might be a good idea to listen to what they have to say:

So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself,...I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never be anyone like you, nor will there ever be." 1 Kings 3:11-12

I'll pre-warn you that it starts off pretty depressing, but I came to this yesterday morning and it has stuck in my heart so deeply:

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift from God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

What better gift could there be?!!! I want that! How often do I remind myself that here, in this home, with a husband and children to tend, is exactly what I've always longed for... And how often do I bang around in my discontentment? Literally bang. Bang the dishes in the sink (because I feel like I've washed 10,000 of them already that day), bang the car door (because I feel like I've strapped 95 carseats over the course of three "quick" errands), banged the girls' bedroom door closed (because I've told them to be quiet and take a nap for the hundredth time). I don't want to bang around! I want to be "occupied with gladness of heart" because of how richly He has blessed me...and most of all how much He loves me.

So yesterday, I reflected on those verses as I cleaned the mud off Pace's back from her attempt to make a snow angel--even though none of the snow was sticking to the ground.

I reflected on them while I learned the hard way that galoshes don't only trap compacted snow in their crevices but also dirt and grime--that gets tracked throughout the house.

I reflected on them while I cleaned up the diarrhea Locks had all over the one rug in our house (I think he developed a nervous stomach after guarding the girls in their state of snow hysteria in the front yard).

I reflected on them during Pace's sassy attitude and during Mary Aplin's constant shenanigans :)But I must say that there are lots of moments, when it is ever-so-easy to be thankful for right where I am: