Ecclesiastes 1-6

Well it looks like I never finished and barely started the last study....life happens and things change.  I am actually surprised I am writing right now because I am on a missions trip in John Day, OR.  Rarely do I even allow myself the luxury of a computer let alone the time to write about heart felt things.  I realize that most of what I write is a jumbled mess of me pouring out my mind- it is what keeps me sane and, trust me, you want me to be sane.  I could also be accused of being reclusive and stand offish but I am old enough to be okay with that- pretty much- though I often wonder if I don't have some type of social anxiety and wonder if there is a way to treat it.  In any case I am going off topic.  

I have been able to keep up my Bible reading though not in my preferred method aka getting up early and reading every day as opposed to waiting three days or more and having to wait till Sunday (when all the kids are in Sunday school) for me to catch up.  But obviously that means I don't really have time for thoughts or to answer the questions.  Today I will try to get on track, but just for today, no promises for tomorrow or any other days this year.

Oh joy!  I read Ecclesiastes today- please, realize the sarcasm.  It is all meaningless....meaningless I say!

1.  In what ways have you chased after something but found it meaningless?

To get a sense of this question I went to look up the word meaningless and what that meant to the author of Ecclesiastes (probably Solomon).  Basically life doesn't make sense.  I hear you there!  I guess the one big thing that I can think of in my own life that I chase that feels meaningless is a big one- raising children.  It sometimes seems like no matter how hard you try and how much you worry they will do whatever they feel like regardless of what you say and try to discipline them.  At the end of the day- do you really have something to show for how hard you feel you worked?  The answer appears to be a definite- maybe.

2.  What are some things "in you own backyard" that bring you joy?

Reading and writing about what I read- it is what gives me the most joy.  I feel like it is something that comes from my own backyard.  I don't have to stress about it much.  I don't feel like I am chasing the wind.

3.  When have you experienced a time of real contentment?

For me, contentment is being able to keep the kitchen clean in a reasonable amount of time and trying to keep to lose flexible schedule without big bumps (arguments, excessive laziness).  Also if there is food involved I am pretty content person.