We’ve been back in America for 6 months now and this is my expat check in.
I’ve realized that I romanticized my life in England and it shows. But it only makes sense, it was such an adventure! I had never been to Europe before, let alone lived there. Everything was new and exciting. And we lived in Oxford, one of the oldest and prettiest places ever, how could you not romanticize a life there?! And the constant stream of life romantizitions on the internet didn’t help either.
Since we’ve moved back, I’ve felt the opposite. I’ve lived in California before and a lot of the last six months have felt like drudgery. Everything in England seems better, even though that’s not true!
I’ve worked hard to be positive, but then this week something changed. I read through Philippians recently with my Bible reading partner and here are the verses that changed my heart:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:4-13, ESV)
I now saw that though there was nothing wrong with enjoying the life we lived in England, I wasn’t pursuing contentment and joy here in the new place where God has led us. As the verse says, there is always room for rejoicing in the Lord.
So, my plan now is to romanticize my new life here in California. There’s lots to love and enjoy, I just need to look for it and enjoy it.
This really should not be hard. I have so much to be thankful for… a husband who cares for me, children to raise, a house to live in, food to eat, a friend to meet at the farmers market, a 98 degree fahrenheit day in which I can go stand in the sun for a few minutes to soak it in (that never happened in England!).
No matter where we live out our lives for God, we can be content doing it. And even more than just content, we can rejoice in it! That is my prayer for my own heart in this season of mothering in a new place and that is my prayer for you friend in the season you find yourself.
