Life changes so quickly that sometimes it is hard for me to keep up with all of it. A month ago, our granddaughter came to live with us in order to pursue her Master’s Degree. We had agreed that she could live here for the two years that this degree would take and have been delighted to have her here. She is such a blessing to have around!

Then on Saturday morning as Josh (Teya’s boyfriend) and Teya were getting ready to go out to breakfast, Josh followed me to the laundry room to tell me in a hushed whisper that he was proposing that day. And that Teya’s friends from Pennsylvania were coming to set up a picnic in the backyard. The gist of it was, Teya was surprised that her friends had driven over eight hours and that Josh had planned everything: friends, food, surprise and ring! So, Teya’s life will definitely be changing, just not right away. She plans to get married next year, probably in August, but nothing is really set in stone yet. She is just starting her new life and has plans to continue her Master’s degree with Josh by her side.

Paul, the man who was beaten, imprisoned and tortured for his faith, wrote these verses. He said that he had learned the secret of being content in all situations. I think I am still learning this contentment thing. I am not one who likes change, whether it’s expected or a surprise. I plan and organize and expect things to follow my plan, but then, they just don’t. Why not? Because change and unexpected events are part of life.

Teya’s engagement is a good thing and I am thrilled for her. Some things are not as pleasant or welcome. Isaac, our grandson, is still looking for a job after almost five months since graduation. He is discouraged at times which is understandable. He has a good degree in math and computer science, but he keeps saying that he is falling into the black hole of non-responsive employers. What happened to the bright future he had planned? I think it is still on the way, but it’s hard to be content in the waiting. If you have ever waited for something and expected a happy ending quickly, then you know exactly what I mean.

God has a timing for everything and His timing is not always ours. In my human impatience, I want to rush some things in life and slow down others. I want a rush on Isaac’s job situation so he will be settled and more confident. But I want to slow down time with Teya as she shows us things through the eyes of youth and excitement about life, and we have been loving that experience.

Just as we cannot slow things down, we cannot rush them either. That is why we need to learn to be content right where we are. I think of my broken foot and say to myself, “Uh-huh. I am supposed to be content with this painful cement block on the end of my leg?” Yes. Yes, I am. When I started to whine today, I got a news blurb about the release of the hostages. Over 250 were taken by the evil Hamas. Only 20 were returned, starved, tortured and unimaginably damaged mentally and emotionally. Just the images stopped my thoughts on my foot and turned them to the families and the hostages. I am blessed beyond measure and need to accept the things that happen instead of being upset about them. How did these brave people survive for so long in captivity? I like to think that they were like Paul, pressing on and keeping their faith. I pray that many of them have come to know their Lord and Savior in a real way or that they will do so.

You see, what really matters in this life is not this life. It is what comes after this life is done. Thus we can be content with changes and minor inconveniences like a broken foot because we know that this life is not everything there is. God has a plan and He is working to fulfill it. I can choose to be content while He is working out His plan or I can choose to rebel against it. I choose contentment. I don’t think for one minute that God “caused” me to have a broken foot (although He could, of course). No, it just happened as part of my life. His plan is working itself in my life as I deal with this problem. How will I react on a daily basis? What coping strategies can I learn from it? How close can I draw to God in the middle of the night when the throbbing and burning begin? We can all learn something from whatever changes that come, whether we consider them good or bad. Our perspective on it is what determines whether we are content or not. God is still in His throne. He hasn’t moved or abdicated and one day all will be made new. That truth is settled in my heart, so I can choose to be content, knowing that this issue will last for a season, but not for eternity.

I leave you with a prayer request to pray for the hostages who were returned, for their peace and salvation and for them to be comforted. And pray for the families of those who will never come back because Hamas murdered them. Pray that they can forgive and have a relationship with God their Maker that supersedes all their suffering. Pray for contentment.