Written by our special guest blogger (and fabulous sister) Kelly Nguyen!

Movies have always been a part of my world, thanks to my dear Mom. In fact, some of the most important moments or seasons of my life can be perfectly captured by a movie quote, scene, or, in some cases, the entire film. 

The last month has been a mash-up of Hollywood highlights, beginning with the ever-famous restaurant scene in When Harry Met Sally. After Meg Ryan gives the performance of a lifetime, the older woman at the table across from her looks at her waiter and calmly states, “I’ll have what she’s having.”

That’s been me for weeks now. I look at Facebook, Pinterest, and all my lovely magazines and see friends, family and basically everyone else having wonderful adventures, embarking on creative journeys, and living what seems like a life right out of the movies. And here I sit, a forty-something-year-old woman juggling a family with four young children, work, and an endless list of tasks.

I feel more like Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day than anything else. The unending laundry, meal planning, lunches, school activities, bath time, bedtime…it’s just a daily repeat. Which brings me back to that feeling of wanting what other people have. But instead of feeling inspired, I’m filled with angst, depression, and a bit of jealousy. Why can’t my life be that exciting? Where is my adventure? I was descending into Alice’s rabbit hole faster than you could say Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum.

But somewhere in that free fall I was reminded of a simple truth: comparing our lives to others doesn’t lead to more joy. It simply allows us to focus on what we “perceive” as our lack. But when we turn our focus back to the Lord, something happens. Our perception changes.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure…You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16: 8-9,11

The reality is that this is the life the Lord has given and designed just for me. I have a wonderful husband, beautiful children, a good job, and a life that is never boring. Sure, I may not be traveling the world or bursting forth with creativity daily, but I am blessed. And by focusing on what the Lord has called me to do—specifically in this season of my life— I am honoring Him and sowing seeds into my future that will bring forth more joy, more blessing and more adventure.

Speaking of the future, Bill Murray finally did get past Groundhog’s Day and so will I. God knows our hearts. He knows what our hearts desire now and in the future. (Psalms 37: 3-4 ). He knows about the children’s books I want to write, if I can just stay awake to get the first sentence written. But for now, for this season, I’m choosing to be less like Bill and more like my favorite gal from Kansas who realized after going on the biggest adventure of her life in the land of Oz that all she really wanted was right in her own backyard. Because, as Dorothy said it best, “There’s no place like home.”