thou shall not covet

I am just back from a wonderful vacation to see my parents. It was relaxing, plenty of time, and yet altogether too short. Don't worry - it also provided a lot of material to share. (Heard daily amidst much laughter: "You've just been blogged!") While on vacation, Mr. Kenobi and I continued a fun tradition of daydreaming together. We ask hypothetical questions, like...

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Why?

Our answers have changed over time, though thankfully they include our present home. Since having children, we both have wanted to live near(er) our parents. Mr. Kenobi's clan is mostly on the west coast, while mine are back in the midwest, so it's impossible to be next door to everyone. With wonderful work out here, we've ended up closer to the Kenobis. While I love them dearly and appreciate my children growing up near them, I long for the similar closeness to my own parents & siblings.

Sometimes I think it would be good enough if we were within a day's drive of my family - near enough for the long weekend or holiday, close by for a quick trip back and forth, not so far that we'd need airplane tickets and layovers.

In our little dreamy conversations, one constant remains: Bozeman, Montana. Bozeman is a beautiful, accessible, and perfectly sized town (in my opinion) with everything we'd need. Except work. There aren't a lot of jobs for either of us - especially Mr. Kenobi - back in Montana. So, I daydream about the mountains and the town where I met my husband, and perhaps I romanticize it too much, but it remains a place I hope I'll return someday. At my worst moments of dissatisfaction and ungratefulness, I think that everything would be alright if I just could move to Bozeman.

It's not true. Geographic therapy rarely works.

Yesterday, I spoke to a friend whose son received great news: he has been accepted to MSU-Bozeman. We had talked to him about the school, encouraged him to consider it, and we join his parents in excitement for this achievement.

Today, another friend called. She is moving soon. Yep, she's also headed to Bozeman, MT. Her husband got a job with a great company, and they are madly packing for their new adventure. I am thrilled for her. Both of their families are in Montana, so their children will finally be an easy jaunt to Grandma's. This job and move is an answer to many years of prayer and waiting.

And in other news... this afternoon, our local weather forecaster (with glee?) commented that, "we should now be seeing the real start to our rainy season, after this little break of sunshine moves through..."

So you know what I'm thinking, right? I'm happy for my friends. Of course, they should be warned: they are headed to a place where several feet of snow may pile onto their walkways. At least I don't have to shovel rain, right?

Right. I probably wouldn't mind the snow, either. Even amidst the drifts of Montana snow, the sun shines nearly all winter long! I do admit I'm prone to envy them. This is where I needed to write and share the news with you.

God lovingly and firmly instructs us not to covet the homes, possessions, relationships, or opportunities He has given to others. I believe it's because envy gets in the way of us trusting His wisdom. If we covet what others have, we can't gratefully recognize our own gifts. May I remember and believe this in my heart, and may I have many more trips East in my future! :)