“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

To be able to do a happy dance in the midst of the unknown is a learned skill. You may know persons who are endued with happy-go-lucky personalities. These are the types that no matter what happens, they tend to do a ‘que sera sera’ dance. Whatever will be will be, they say, and continue living life, not being stuck in the moment. For others, the learning of this continues.

I had everything planned. The moving truck had been reserved, the movers were ready to go, I went to the place where my mother was soon to move and mentally placed where her furniture would be, the papers were signed, and the funds provided…all systems go, right?

Wrong.

Everything fell through at the last minute. I didn’t understand, and to say I was frustrated would be the understatement of the new year. That evening with my head spinning and asking God if there was something I missed from Him, I decided to go to my mother’s church for prayer meeting for the evening, rather than stay home in the doldrums of  endless worry; I knew I was far from doing any dance of a happy nature.

Going to church made me feel better. It began a journey of moving from one street of despair, frustration and a tinge of anger to another avenue, one of seeing what God will provide next. After all, He has promised never to leave me or forsake me, that He will provide all that is needed. I had moved from the dead-end road of despair to a wide endless avenue called possibilities.

I believe these two locations described above is where the writer Paul had been and was currently residing. The fourth chapter of Philippians speaks of his learning how to be abased (being humbled) and how to abound (being in abundance). Paul wrote this letter while in prison, a filthy dark place, unlike the prisons of today; there were no televisions or small toilet to go to the bathroom, or mattress to lay down and rest. Yet, Paul still learned to accept what was currently happening in his life, yet learning to

• Rejoice always – verse 4
• Making requests known to God and experiencing peace – verses 6 & 7
• Focusing on what to think about – verse 8
• Wherever life took him, he learned to accept being low and being high – verses 11 & 12
• Here’s why: He did all things through Christ who strengthened him

This is what should be learned. As Paul learned this, so should we. I do not have the answer yet regarding where my mother is going to live (and I must say I need an answer in the next five days). But I will strive to discover lessons to learn, and develop my que sera sera happy dance through Jesus who strengthens me.