Content Where I am

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content

Philippians 4:11

I am 54, going through a divorce, and living with my daughter. This is not the best season of my life to say the least.

Last year at this time, we had big plans. I was renting and looking for land to purchase for the home I planned to live in for the rest of my life. My daughter, a homeschool mom of three young kids, wanted to sell her house to build something designed to carry her family through the homeschool years and beyond. The plan was for her to live with me when her house sold, regardless of where I was in my own home journey at the time.

Before any real steps were taken on either journey, my marriage ended, and I moved in with her. Then her house sold, and we were both homeless. We considered renting a place together, but we were offered an opportunity to move into a single wide trailer for the cost of utilities only. We decided to take it since our situation was only temporary. Only it’s been a little less temporary than we planned. Although God continuously shows up, we’ve also faced a lot of unexpected obstacles in our home journey and the process is taking longer than anticipated.

We are both “nesters” and planners, so not feeling as if we have a home right now, coupled with most of this process being out of our control, has been difficult to say the least. In addition, we’ve both had personal issues with dealt with this summer. She’s living in a cramped space with her mother, she and one of my grandsons have had some health concerns, and she’s waiting for her husband to be called to work out of state any minute. My whole life has been turned upside down. This has not been easy for either of us.

Then one day last week, she talked to me about her concern over the loss of appetite of her oldest son. She recognizes that it’s not unusual at his age for his appetite to wan some, but she’s still concerned. In this conversation, we ended up talking about children who are starving all over the world. I realized how grateful I am. This place, that we aren’t in love with and are eager to leave behind, would be blessing to someone. It’s okay for me to be eager to get this behind me and to look forward to having a real home again. But it is not okay for me not to be grateful and thankful for all that I have been blessed. Wherever you are right now in your life, chances are you are working and praying for something to change or improve. You still have to be content and grateful where you are.