The Antidote for Envisioning a Different Life


Maybe it was an episode of House Hunters where real estate in Texas was ridiculously inexpensive, or that my husband recently was asked to draft his five-to-ten year goals for work, or that I, a generally change-resistant person, occasionally itch to invite sweeping alterations into my life beyond getting a drastic haircut, but something triggered a subtle, niggling discontent in my here-and-now routine.

I find myself wondering what else is out there, dwelling on what I don't have.  I feel bored, trapped in monotony, locked in a small town.  I recall George Bailey as he stood on the platform and the train whistle blew, mourning the adventures he wasn't having beyond his sleepy Bedford Falls.

Do you ever feel this way?

It happens to me every so often, and I've learned that it's useful to let myself experience the longing while grounding myself back into the immediate.  Yesterday, a simple fix came when I piled on the couch with my girls and read the stack of books they brought my way.  Acts as simple as turning pages, feeling my the weight of my youngest daughter's head as she leaned on my shoulder, and sharing a blanket made me focus on my own life. 

As I was reading storybooks, I was doing exactly what I was meant to be doing.

It's a wonderful life, really.

So, once again, I find myself asking God what life He envisions for me as I live out these days.  That's the life I want to embrace, whether I'm hidden or well-known, whether I perceive my impact to be small or large, whether the road is difficult or smooth, or whether others are asked to travel different, more glamorous paths.

After all, If I'm aligned with God, I won't miss the life I'm supposed to be living.

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10 comments

  1. smoothstonesJanuary 09, 2014

    You're wonderful (and very good).

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  2. I love this Robin... and I completely identify with those fleeting, "I wonder what life would be like" moments. House Hunters is notorious for that! I actually dropped HGTV from my cable subscription because I found it often made me discontent with what I have.


    The fact that you mention It's A Wonderful Life tells me that we're kindred spirits. Do you know I have watched that movie on Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember?!

    I have been praying often about the life God wants for me.

    "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11



    I keep on asking God to give me a kick if I'm not fulfilling the direction He wishes me to take.


    Wishing you a blessed weekend.
    xoxo

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  3. Denice MolbyJanuary 11, 2014

    I love your line, " If I'm aligned with God, I'm never going to miss the life I'm suppose to be living. ". What a great reminder that all I need to do is seek God wholeheartedly and He will work my life according to His plan. Thank you for the reminder. In this day and age with so much publicity and so many things going viral, I frequently need to be reminded that what I am doing in caring for my family is enough. The worlds accolades do not add validity to my work.

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  4. Julie @ ChristianmommybloggerJanuary 12, 2014

    Great Post! I loved the analogy. Also, I could so relate! And btw, how DO you keep your boots from flopping over :) ?

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  5. Ah, Julie, I promise to share! I'm going to take some pictures and post soon! (Can you feel the suspense building??)

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  6. Denice, yes, I wrote this because I often need that very same reminder! Thank you!

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  7. Ah, It's a Wonderful Life is such a classic... it's a great tradition you have there!
    Dropping HGTV reminds me of a friend who cancelled her subscription to Pottery Barn catalogues; she said it just made her lust after everything she didn't have. I totally get your decision!

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing this, Robin. Thank you for the reminder to live in the moment and trust God for the big picture. I struggle all too often (and particularly recently) with envisioning a different life for myself and my family, rather than simply aligning myself with God and trusting Him.

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