Finding Contentment: A Lesson in Dual Meanings

There are numerous international students in my school district who speak English as a second language, and sometimes our homonyms can lead to misunderstandings.

For instance, imagine a teenager who just came to the United States from Italy. She has a good grasp of conversational English but doesn’t realize some of our words are spelled the same but have different meanings.

Now, picture her creative writing teacher leaving a note on her short story telling her it needs more character content—additional elements to bring the fictional people in her story to life.

But, not realizing the context, the Italian girl goes with the more familiar definition of content, meaning satisfaction with what one is or has. So, the young lady, whose original language is Italia, writes more about how the protagonist in her story likes piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.


My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

Psalm 131: 1-3 (NIV)

In this brief passage (I love short Psalms!), I see both meanings of the word content: King David is /kuhn-tent/ in his relationship with God, because he is satisfied with his own character /kon-tent/. Despite being a king, he knows who the real boss is—it’s the Lord Almighty, not him.

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Socrates

Kind reader, are you /kuhn-tent/ with your life /kon-tent/? Does most of what you do every day reflect who you truly want to be?

I know, it’s a heavy question; it’s one I’m also asking myself.

King David knew a big part of the answer was to calm and quiet himself before God, putting his highest hope in divine hands. Today, and every day, may we do the same.

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️Prayers and love.


The Stigma Stops Here 🛑

#mentalhealthmatters


Comments

19 responses to “Finding Contentment: A Lesson in Dual Meanings”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Nancy. It means much to me that you find my questions prayer journal worthy! Half the time I have no idea how what I write will land, but I prayerfully put it out there for the Lord. I appreciate your input. God Bless!

    Like

  2. Nancy Ruegg Avatar

    Such important, thought-provoking questions you asked, David. Worthy of prayerful consideration with journal and pen in hand. I’ve copied them down for just such purpose.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar

    True, Barb. As an amateur wordsmith, it seems like I find a cool word I’ve never heard of at least once a week! Thanks for stopping by.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Ken.

    Like

  5. ken riddles Avatar

    Liked the way you put this together – content about our content. 👍

    Like

  6. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It was a long week, but doable by God’s grace.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. jesusluvsall Avatar

    We will have a balmy 60 tomorrow but then back to the 30s.
    How is the life of a busy Admin?

    Liked by 1 person

  8. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar

    English can be so confusing, even to those of us who speak it fluently!!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. davidsdailydose Avatar

    As I wrote this, I thought you would have a story or two of your own, brother. Thanks for stopping by. Is it finally warming up a little in Nebraska?

    Liked by 1 person

  10. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Smiled at this. I have had many fun conversations trying to explain meanings for my ESL students.
    Not sure if I can say most of what I do every day because as I get older I tend to get a bit lazy at times

    Liked by 1 person

  11. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I love it! My elementary teacher wife says no and know are homophones—sound alike but spelled differently. Jesus made it perfectly clear: He is the way, truth, and life, and no one knows God without going through Him.
    Amen, sister! This will preach.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. God Still Speaks Avatar

    No God. No Peace. Know God. Know Peace. Sounds the same, but the eternal significance is drastic!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Very true, Pastor Pete. Childlike faith and contentment—like sitting on a loving grandfather’s knee—is a simple idea, but often hard for busy adults to practice.
    I’m paraphrasing C.S. Lewis here: many who long for a holiday at sea, don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy afternoon.
    Thank you for reading and commenting. You’ve helped me improve the content of my writing, and I’m content with that. 🤗

    Liked by 2 people

  14. pastorpete51 Avatar

    Oh yes, our crazy mixed up English is a foreign language even for many of us born here. The trick is being content with its content! And I love this short Psalm as well. Contentment as God has designed it is so simple a small child can understand it. We adults often just waste too much time by overcomplicating it.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Amen. He knew I needed a little help, so he came along side.

    Like

  16. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    Thank God for the helpers He provides.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, brother! Context and perspective are valuable life filters, when I choose to use them correctly. It’s an ongoing process, with the tip of the iceberg, what I’m consciously aware of, being steered underwater by the big rest of the berg—my mostly subconscious motivators. I hope this makes sense. An LPC who works at my school shared the analogy with me yesterday. We had passed each other in the hall earlier, and he said, “You look stressed.”
    🙏 Blessings,my brother!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    Who you calling a homonym? 😂 Brother, this is so well done and beautifully crafted, I’d give you a blogging medal 🥇if I had one. Now I’m going to spend time exploring homonyms until my heart is content. You combined your love for words with the Word. Well done, meaningful, content. Thank you for sharing, David.

    Liked by 3 people

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