My friend Jen over at Diary of 1 has a wonderful post about Expectations and Contentment recently that is very thought provoking. We have been having some lessons in these same two things lately as well. With a new school year looming over us (we'll start in a few weeks) I have been reading many wonderful entries from many bloggers who have given us a glimpse into their schools - many of them noted how excited their kids were for the new year. This was very hard for me to read because my kids (mostly my son), well, they just aren't excited.   We have done some light schooling through the summer but it was not much since we have had so much company and a few trips of our own. I have been doing a few things here and there with them lately to get them back in gear for a full day school schedule again.  The enthusiasm has been lacking to say the least. In my frustration over this the one day I teared up and explained to my son how disappointed I was that he did not have more excitement like other kids who were about to begin and truly could not wait. I had a catch in my spirit immediately - I knew better than to play the comparison game and here I was doing it. But God really convicted me that night when I sat down with my daughter to read another chapter of Raising Maidens of Virtue (an exceptional book by the way) and we began reading a story about a little girl who had been looked down upon because of her father's occupation and because of the clothes she wore and got indignant over it. Her mother helped her to see that they were not less than others nor were they better than others because of their situation. She explained that their life was just right for them, custom designed by God! WOW! God's perfect timing! Of course He is Soveriegn and our situation is perfect for us and God in His infinite wisdom is teaching us and growing us at His perfect rate - How could I desire anything more than that? So I went to my son's room and apologized for what I had said and explained to him that it was wrong of me to compare him to someone else because he was not someone else - he is my sweet Garrett whom God made to be just who he is and that our situation is just what God has for us at this time and He had many lessons to teach us from it just as He has other lessons for other families to learn. We are all unique and our situations are all unique as they should be. His face lit up at this new thought that he had never considered. He told me that he had been discontent lately too with the idea of moving back into our travel trailer. He shared that he had been feeling that is was unfair that other families get to live in a house for a long time and we might not, but now he could see that if God is in control then if we move it was just what God wants for our own unique family and knowing that made it okay with him!

Wow - Lord, I am so humbled by your all knowing wisdom in working all things out and bringing us all the lessons we need as we need them! You are soveriegn and so once again I come to you and lay all of my expectations at your feet - Please help me and my family to be content with whatever you bring our way and thank you for teaching me and my son this valuable lesson right now!