I miss curfews and rules.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.--Psalm 16:5,6

From the time I was a little girl up until now, I've dealt with boundaries...discipline. When I was a child, boundaries weren't fun. I wanted freedom and independence. I wanted the chance to prove that I could handle it...whatever "it" may be. Boy, was I silly! Who was I kidding--what can a 5 year old handle? What rational decision can a 12 year old make? Now that I'm an adult, I have that freedom and independence. Most of the time, it's good. Some times, though, I just want someone to tell me what to do. Guidance is something I wish I hadn't taken for granted. I want guidelines to follow and a list of rules. I feel like it would make things easier.

The more I think about it, though, I realize that I do have boundaries today. They may not be the same as they were 10 years ago when I lived with my parents, but they are all around me. Living in Nashville, away from my family? A boundary. Being single? A boundary. Having a year of school left when I really want to start working? A boundary. Currently making a little more than minimum wage? A boundary. Living on a campus with 35 school-aged children? A boundary. God has placed boundaries in my life, and they have fallen in pleasant places. Pleasant places....not cursed places. God has my best in mind. He is orchestrating things in my life according to the kind intention of His will. Hello!! I need this to soak into my thick head.

All that is well and good, but what happens when I'm too stubborn to appreciate the boundaries? What happens when I feel like life isn't abundant at the moment? What happens when I'm not content? If I'm honest, there are times when these feelings and thoughts pervade my mind and soul. I realize they are from the Enemy and that I shouldn't pay attention to them, but that doesn't make them any less real. It is in these moments that I must remember that the Lord is my portion. He is enough. He can fill the voids, He can satisfy the longings, and He can bring contentment to my heart, causing me to see the boundaries as pleasant. He is enough. Period.