1988: Ray Bolz topped the charts with "Thank You" and Twila Paris moved us with "Every Heart That Is Breaking." The Summer Olympics were held in Seoul and Michael Dukakis ran against George Bush in the presidential election.

Closer to home, I was a newlywed, Bible college student, part-time secretary, and intern at a local church. I was young, enthusiastic, and seemingly tireless. Oh, what days!

As the pace and my parallel enthusiasm for all things grew, I began to realize that something had to give. I couldn't actually do everything at once. Shocking! So, I made the decision to complete an AA degree, leave school, and resume my studies for a BA at another time.

2020: Kari Jobe sang, "The Blessing," and Mandisa reminded us that Jesus is "The Way Maker." COVID, and all that came with it, was at the forefront of everyone's minds. Space X launched two astronauts into space for the first time.

With our organization's blessing, I began online classes. I admit I was nervous. I had been a teacher in several settings over the last 30 years, but I hadn't been an official student! Week by week, I completed assignments and gained confidence that, perhaps, I could actually do this.
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Weeks turned to months and by Spring of 2021, I had completed an Interdisciplinary BA in education and psychology. Whew! I had done it!

Our lives in Israel began to pick up as COVID restrictions began to lift. I had a newfound enthusiasm for teacher training because I had just been a student and understood the value of teachers who cared about their craft.

One day, John said, "You might as well get your masters while you're in the mode." My reticence from before was gone. I knew I could do it. More than that, I wanted to do it. I loved learning!

"You're right," I said. "I should get going! I can't wait another 30 years!"

2023: Elevation Worship sang, "Been So Good" and Kirk Franklin (personal favorite) reminded us that God is with us in "All Things." Israel was attacked by HAMAS and Sudan continued to face internal conflict. Bella, a cat from England, claimed the loudest purr recorded at 54.6 decibels.

With my husband's encouragement and the Lord's help, I completed a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Do I feel smarter? Maybe. More importantly, I feel wiser. Wise enough to know that learning never stops--whether formally or in everyday life. I understand that the benefit of a degree is not just the knowledge itself, but also the experience that allows my thoughts and ideals to be expanded, challenged, and tested.

I'm in my 50s now, and I want to keep growing. I want to keep my circle wide. I think it helps me stretch and keeps me from getting weird.

What's next? I'm not sure. I do know that I'm forever curious about a good many things. This world God has given us is full of wonderful people to meet and experiences to glean. I'm committed to learning and growing ‘til Jesus calls me Home! How about you?

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” 
​Philippians 4:11-12 NIV.​

I am also in a learning curve as my husband and I navigate this season of parenting our adulting kids who live hundreds of miles away. It is a whole new world of holidays without them and no summer vacation time with them. It is a hard adjustment after their entire twenty-some years of life in our home, enjoying millions of moments full of meals, games, performances, laughs, trips, sports, movies, prayers, hikes, talks, milestones, and special memories made together. 

It is hard to not compare my life with my friends who still have both parents living. It is hard to not feel a little envious of my friends who have adult kids who live close by, and they see them regularly. The Lord is teaching me that a powerful part of the secret is that it is impossible to be content if I am comparing. He also whispers the secret of choosing to be happy about what I do have and not resentful or sad or fixated on what I do not have. It is easier said than done, and I am learning. 

As I have poured out my heartache to the Lord about missing my parents, I am so thankful for His comfort. The Holy Spirit speaks and soothes. I have felt God lovingly invite me to give up unfulfilled expectations and bitterness. Instead of focusing on what and whom I am missing, Jesus gently calls me to learn the secret: being grateful for what, and whom, I do have. He calls me out of the pity party and into the celebration of praising Him for all of the many blessings in my life. He calls me out of resentment and into rejoicing in the incredible people I do have. 

When I am feeling discontent, I am learning that the secret to flipping the switch to contentment is to start rehearsing what and whom I do have. Jesus saved me, and that is enough. Jesus loves me, and that is enough. Jesus is preparing a place in Glory for me, and that is enough. And on top of those amazing, divine, miraculous, eternal blessings, He has given me a devoted husband, fabulous children (two of our own and two by marriage), wonderful extended family, and a fantastic church family. Jesus has healed me and is growing His glorious Kingdom all around, in, and through me.  

During the spring season that celebrated Easter and Passover, I was reminded of the little song that I learned while living with a Jewish family as their nanny. It is Dayenu. That Hebrew term means: It would have been enough. It is referring to all the miracles of God as He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and saw them through the wilderness for forty years. The song declares over and over that just one of those miracles would have been enough. 

That really is the secret of being content: realizing that God loving and saving us would have been enough. And yet, our relentlessly generous Heavenly Father heaps abundant blessings upon us! 

God’s blessings are what I am trying to focus on as I am missing my Mom and Dad at this time of year. Instead of choosing special cards for them, I am choosing special cards for my outstanding in-laws and the spiritual parents in my life. Instead of staying in sadness, I am tapping into gratitude. In this new season of our family life, I am grateful for my best-friend husband and time to rediscover hobbies together and tackle long over-due projects. My “kid-fix” is happening through the children of our church family and pouring into our staff kids. 

Paul penned the words of Philippians from prison. Something about his dismal surroundings and the stark backdrop of this epistle makes it mean something much deeper. If Paul, who was in the isolation and destitution of prison, could say he had learned the secret of being content, maybe I can learn it, too! 
¹ dictionary.com ​