Emma had money. A lot of money.

It hadn’t always been that way. She hadn’t been born rich. She had earned it.

When she was young, she had imagined what her life would be like as she got older. A loving husband was important to her. They would enjoy being together and eventually have kids. Two or three kids would be perfect!

She met Chad in college, and she felt lucky to be marrying him. He was just what she had always wanted. Handsome, ambitious, loyal, and he loved her very much.

Even though her life was falling into place the way she had dreamed, she felt like something was missing.

After a few years of being married, Emma and Chad decided to start their family. They didn’t have to wait long. A little boy was born to them, and Emma immediately knew he would make her very happy. A couple of years later, they had a girl. She loved being a mom. Her little family was very special to her.

But after a while, it wasn’t enough.

She suddenly began experiencing anxiety. As a result, she couldn’t always enjoy her children because she was worried something would happen to them. Not knowing what was causing the anxiety was frustrating. Her doctor prescribed pills.

The pills weren’t enough.

She and her husband started a business out of their home designing and selling children’s clothing. It had always been her dream to have her own business, and now she had reached that goal. It was thrilling! They were immediately successful and had support from their friends, family, and new customers. And they made lots of money.

But it wasn’t enough.

She and her husband decided they needed a bigger house, since they had a home business and so much space was needed for it. Emma had lots of fun choosing the finishes outside and in. She was happy.

But it wasn’t enough.

So they added a pool. Surely that would satisfy her restlessness. They would have so much fun swimming and playing every day as a family and with friends. And they did.

But, again, it wasn’t enough.

As their business grew, Emma and Chad decided they needed more room. They moved to a neighborhood where they could build a big house, much bigger than their previous one. Again, she enjoyed picking out paint, flooring, cabinets. That kept her busy for a long time.

The children were happy with neighborhood kids all around. And she enjoyed chatting outside with the other moms. She thought she had never been so happy.

But after they got settled, the big, new house, the new neighborhood, and all the money they continued to make wasn’t enough.

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This is a current, true story, with names and details changed. This may be similar to your story now, or in the past, or someone you know. It has probably happened to us all at some point in our lives.

My hope and prayer for Emma and her family goes something like this:

One day as she was driving to the grocery store, she was looking for a radio station. She came across a song that got her attention. A guy was singing a song about his relationship with God.

“Though the earth may try

To satisfy my heart

Though the earth may try

To tell me You’re not faithful

Though the earth may try

To blind me from Your goodness

You shine through.

You’re the only one who

Fills me up

You’re the only one who

Fills me up

You’re the only one.”

(Song by Chris Renzema)

She realized that the void in her life she had tried to fill for so long wouldn’t ever be completely satisfied with earthly possessions and achievements. That more and more money, a big, beautiful house and even her sweet little family wouldn’t be enough.

Emma had money. A lot of money and everything it could buy.

But it was never enough.

GOD WAS.