Picture perfect

What did you imagine your family would be like before you had kids? Did you have an image in mind? I know I did! Mine went something like this: I would have kids who were very obedient, in fact I would only have to raise an eyebrow to get them to behave! They would be soft spoken, polite, kind and loving ALL the time. We would live in family peace and encouragement all the time, and at night I would reflect on what wonderful children I had! Sound familiar? So, what is reality? My girls argue in the car about who has more rain on their window. My girls argue about who gets to pray at breakfast. Sometimes, they call me names ("your stinky!"). Sometimes the hit each other and say things in public like "you look like a man" to a woman at target! Sometimes my girls DON'T share, and they yell and scream! So, yesterday I called a friend and poured out my heart about my girls and all my concerns. You know what she said? "None of this can't be fixed". WHAT A RELIEF. I get so caught up in my anxiety about how the girls will "turn out" that I can't put these behaviors in perspective. Yes, these behaviors need to be addressed, and they are. But, I need to trust the Lord and the process of discipleship. A verse I am clinging to is Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus". He won't give up on my girls! I won't give up on my girls! Day by day we will make the journey together.

Satisfaction guaranteed!

Are you content? So many people aren't...........but I am!! I'm not saying every day of my life is wonderful, I am just saying that I am content right now. I LOVE my hubby, LOVE my girls, love the house and neighborhood that I live in, love my friends, love my church, love the routine and schedule of my life. I feel generally satisfied with life. I always imagined myself staying in this life forever. And, maybe (is it possible?) I am too content, too much in my comfort zone. So, as my hubby searches for new employment, I am finding my sense of comfort and contentment challenged. We may move. That is reality, but I don't WANT to. Remember, I am content. I am not good at change. So, as my anxiety level rises, I find myself thinking "could I be content elsewhere?" Paul says in Philippians "not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." So, I guess my question is this "can I be content in all circumstances?" Can I be content in a different house, different neighborhood, different church? I guess time will tell.