you can't always get what you want

but if you try sometimes you might find, you get what you need.

i'm constantly amazed that things never turn out quite like i expect them to. i don't always get what i want. but i am never lacking in anything that i need. god is faithful.  a quick overview of where we are at so you can understand where i'm coming from:

our family is in a time of major transition right now. as we were packing things at our apartment today i was reflecting on our time here in columbia, illinois.  it was a bittersweet day for me.  we came here a little over a year ago to a small church with a small youth group who was excited about building their youth program and appeared supportive of what jonathon wanted to do as the new youth pastor.  it was a good experience. we had amazing students whom we really love! we learned a lot about ministry and church life. but it ended less than ideally.  about 3 weeks before promise was born we were asked, in not so many words, to leave.  it was and is heart-wrenching.  jonathon was thrown under the bus by some of the church leadership, and later we found out that those in authority lied to the church about why we left. it hurt. a lot.

the great thing is that, in spite of mistakes, in spite of people, and in spite of christians and churches, god is faithful to his children. he loves us unconditionally. he is healing our hearts and shaping us to his will and preparing us further for his work.

so we are currently seeking god's will for the next phase of our life. we are both so thankful for our time here and all we have learned. but we are ready to move forward. the lease on our apartment is up and rather than paying extra for a month-to-month lease, we are moving to my mom's temporarily (my dad is in afghanistan and she has 3 extra rooms, so it seems most logical).  and as we wait - we pray. without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). we pray for guidance, for opportunity, for patience, for provision. i am excited about the next step, though that's not to say i'm not nervous and impatient! but i know...

my god is always faithful.  we have had several of these transition times in our lives - individually and as a married couple.  god has never once let us down. we have never been without the things we need. we have never been without a place to live, we have never let bills go unpaid, we have never run up debt. and regardless of what mick jagger said - we never have to try. god takes care of us.  and it amazes me! every time! i think i am a worrier by nature. i worry about money. i worry about my family. i don't mean to - i try very hard not to. but in spite of my disobedience in this area (phil. 4:6) he follows through on his promises (phil. 4:19).  what a truly good god!