In our house, we don't do big Christmas gifts for our children.  This is partly because they are so blessed by generous gifts from grandparents and other family.  This is partly intentional, as well, to work on the idea of contentment.  And this is partly practical--as we have always worked for not-for-profits.  We are blessed with all we need, but do we live on a budget.  

So, one year, we found ourselves in the unusual position of having a little extra as Christmas approached.  Chris and I had discussed it and agreed to purchase a Wii for all three kids.  In fact, we found it on sale and had it tucked away in our attic for about 3 months.  As Christmas drew near, we asked the kids what they'd want.  We KNEW they all wanted a Wii, but they never asked for one on their Christmas list.  Instead, they would always respond with the more typical type of gifts they might receive--such as Lego sets or craft supplies.  On Christmas morning, they opened their gifts from the grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  They were content and happy, chattering away.  And, we had one of the most priceless Christmas memories when we told them there was one more gift upstairs.  They were shocked!  They ran upstairs and opened that big box, and they could hardly believe their eyes.  In fact, although it's been several years,they still talk about that time when Mom and Dad surprised them with something big.

It's been such an amazing adventure this year diving into the Word to unearth all the Scripture I can about God's favor, lovingkindness and grace.  I've been surprised by how much I've gleaned from passages I've read before, and how much I've discovered that I don't remember reading.  Numbers 32 falls into that latter category.  I mean, honestly--I've never intentionally camped out in Numbers before.  But, it offers a challenging insight into how we as God's children can tend to settle for good enough.

While our children had no idea that we had something big for them that Christmas morning, God clearly told his children about the Promised Land.  I mean, this land had been built up for quite some time in their minds.  The land of milk and honey.  The inheritance.  The blessing.  For forty years, these people wandered in the desert, with all their shananigans I've been blogging about, with their eyes on the prize of the Promised Land.  I mean, the name sorta says it all, doesn't it?  The PROMISED land.  So why would anyone settle for less?  

I still don't know the answer to that particular question, but I can tell you that the Reubenites and the Gadites were perfectly content to stay just where they were.  It was good enough for them!  These guys come to Moses in Numbers 32:4-5 and said this: