I knew of a lady who gave a million dollars away saying, “That money never caused us anything but grief.”
Maybe she found she could buy back some happiness after all.
Maybe she came across the truth: Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after wind.*
Maybe she tired of chasing wind.
It’s a truth that deep down we know, but there’s an intrigue that says “Maybe it wouldn’t happen with me,” and our mind stays preoccupied with how to fill that second hand.
In time we learn again that having isn’t the ultimate state, unless it’s having peace.
It’s natural to desire both hands full, but then where’s the free hand to do anything else?
And we like to be free.
Too much to keep track of can kill our contentment.
And without contentment there’s nothing else that matters.
If, when I go to write my goals I include “Catch the wind,” at least I’ll know at the end of the day the source of that ennui.
Peace is life’s ultimate state. We know it when we have it; we know it all the more when we don’t.
Peace is something within ourselves; if it’s not there, nothing outside will supply it.
Not even a second handful!
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*Ecclesiastes 4:6
Next: More Wind Chasing. Coming Thursday.
As always, feel free to share with a friend.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:56 am
Hyatt, Enjoyed those comnents. Real peace comes and goes as followers of Jesus and indeed it is a priceless moment when we experience it. May you be granted many of those special moments of peace. D
10:17 am
Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is to decide to NOT chase after the wind when it seems that everyone else around is. The more people that chase it, the more alluring the opportunity of “catching it” becomes.That is when contentment really comes in handy. Thanks for the good word Hyatt.
10:35 am
Hyatt, I love the way you take an important truth like this and distill it down in a thought provoking way, with great word pictures. Also, thank you for expanding my vocabulary…en·nui/änˈwē/Noun: Listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
11:44 am
Hyatt, just an excellent post! Thank you.
Pastor Adam Barton
Akron, Ohio
ICU Mobile
1:11 pm
Ah Hyatt! I alway love your posts. ……and I can hear your voice when I read them. Today at the foot Dr. I got discouraging news (not bad, just a bit discouraging)…..and I keep thinking of the armor, that my feet are shod with the gospel of peace!……So I’ll put on that armor today so that my peace remains…….and all the other pieces. And remind myself that no one takes my joy (not even my Dr. :-) Thanks again!
1:59 pm
Truth, again. How timely.
9:30 pm
Wow Hyatt! I agree with this lovely pastors comment! Great great post, Hyatt! Perfect! Thank you from all of us! I could not stop reading it and taking it in, like a wonderful perfume! Just reading it filled me with peace! Lisa
8:30 am
Where’s the hand to do anything else?…I can relate with this right now in my life. As I sit here in my hotel room for work and think of being here again next weekend. Am I complaining about work? I think I am. Shouldn’t I be thankful that I have a job? I guess. But I don’t feel free and wondering how He’s leading me. Thanks Hyatt.