In what so ever state.

I had it all planned out.

I would marry the perfect man. He would be gentle (ALWAYS), kind, and thoughtful. He would always open my car door, pull out my chair, and help me on with my coat...and NEVER forget. He would be a rich rancher/doctor/singer, who loved the Lord, was tall dark and incredibly handsome. He would want AT LEAST 13 children, 26 dogs, 12 cats, 14 rabbits, and of course larger farm/ranch animals. We would raise alpacas, horses, cattle, sheep and goats. We would also run our own Christian camp for disabled children. He would be a deacon in our church, and sing in the choir with me Of course he would ONLY work 10 hour days, and spend the rest of the day, just enjoying life with his family.. On weekends, we would drive to our cabin in the mountains. He would have a sense of humor, but be wise beyond his years, and know enough not to annoy me when i was having a bad day. When our babies were little, he would LOVE to get up in the middle of the night with them. Did I mention he liked to cook and clean, and did both well? He would be the kind of guy EVERY neighbor wants to live next to, children and animals would gravitate to him, and they would be welcome ANYTIME, in our large 10 bedroom house on the hill. He would love watching movies, and rarely watch sports. I would cook him fancy meals, and then go on evening strolls along the lake. We would walk with one another, in perfect Harmony with the Lord. And when we grew old, he would still be strong enough to carry my feeble and frail body to bed and we would read together till we turned off our lamps and went to sleep..

Of course, I was 12 at the time I planned this out, and little girls, have big dreams, but very little reality of the real world.

Well, THIS is reality.

I am wife to a man, who though a Christian, is far from perfect (just like myself). He often forgets my car door, never remembers to pull out my chair, but will help me on with my coat, when he remembers. He is gentle, but still has days, when we do not walk in agreement. On occasion he brings home flowers, but often forgets to take the garbage out. He doesn't sing in the choir (our church doesn't have one), in fact when God said make a joyful noise, he was referring to him. He is not much taller than me, and though I love him DEARLY...He would never be a handsome movie star to the rest of the world. Just the same, he is my husband John, and I love him.

He used to work at a car parts factory. Part time he is a sports official. Did I mention my strong dislike for all sports outside of the Olympics. I have the athletic ability of a two legged dog. My dear Husband loves to watch sports. If the TV is on, he has it tuned to sports. If we watch a movie, it generally has a sports theme. Did I mention, how little I like sports?

He is currently laid off from his factory job, and has just taken a new job at Walmart, at the cash register. We praise God for the job, in these trying times of Michigan's economy.

We live in a small 2 bedroom somewhat falling apart rented house, with a flooded basement. The Lady that lives upstairs smokes, and the smoke filters though to our part of the home. We live on a busy road, with no pretty lake, and no ranch. Our pets consist of two cats. Money is tight, and the food is never fancy. We are happy with crock pot pork chops, and look forward to pizza night. Right now we have an ant problem...and there is an electrical problem. The kitchen sink has a leak, and the landlord, has little hurry to fix it.

Our 13 children, is still stuck at ONE child. We praise the Lord for her. We were blessed beyond measure. Lily is our pride and our job. We trust that someday the Lord will add to that, but I don't think it will be 12 more at my age. Of course Sarah doubted too.

Our neighbors are friendly, but not social. We have never been to their house, and they have never been to ours. I really need to bake cookies and drop in.

We have no cabin at the mountains, and in fact have not taken a vacation in the four years we have been married.

Oh, and when we are old, DH will most likely not be able to carry me, since he can't carry me know, even though he has tried. I need to keep working on my diet.

But see, all of those things matter very little. My bible tells me, that whatever condition, I find myself, I must be content. Here there are leaky sinks, flooded basements, and dreams left unfulfilled. If we only hang on to what we think we should have, we will never be happy...and will always be left wanting more. The Lord says, NO MATTER WHAT...give thanks. People will let us down, but not the Lord. He supplies our needs, and we need to learn to REST in that. We can't rest, when we are wondering..what's next??? I am not saying to not dream. I think God gave us dreams for a reason. But when your dreams, stay just that...DREAMS..don't be sad, and long for more. Be content.

For we have salvation...and a promise. A promise that This is not where we stop. This is not the end. This isn't "That's all folks". IT DOES GET BETTER THAN THIS! Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, and maybe not even in this life time. However, when the day comes that I enter heaven, to see the Savior that I was created to be with...THAT is my home. This world is not. Our Father owns everything. It's HIS, and by inheritance it is ours. It's just a little while longer. This valley may not be what we dream it to be, but the shepherd, led us here for a reason...and rest that He knows what his Lambs need.

Are you content...and well rested?