Don't Miss the Very Green Grass

Have you ever caught yourself wishing you had another job, bigger house, different car, Hollywood looks, new golf clubs, a better boat, or a different computer/cell phone?  There's nothing wrong with dreaming.  But sometimes we focus so much on what other's have, or what we don't have and we miss the very green, green grass underneath us.   

The elders in our church are fond of saying that they, more than anyone else can list the shortcomings and flaws of our church.  However, they choose to focus on all God is doing and wants to do through us.  They are right.  It's easy to join the critical bandwagon.  In fact, Satan loves it when Christ's followers go negative.  He wins when we do.  The psalmist said, "Seven times a day I will praise you for your righteous laws." (Psalm 119:164)  Like Brother Lawrence who chose to bring glory to God in every waking moment the psalmist chose to deliberately worship God multiple times a day.  In essence he wasn't going to miss one moment of God's goodness regardless of his circumstances.  

Years ago country singer Trace Adkins recorded a song (You're Gonna Miss This) that captures this point of restlessness in the life of a teenage girl wanting to grow up fast.  At each turn someone wiser and more experienced in life cautions her not to "wish away" her life and choose to see the green, green grass of the moment underneath her feet.  What about you?  Are you gonna miss this by looking at everything you don't have?  

As for me, it's really green where I'm standing and it has been for 51 years.  Oh yeah there have been some challenges and tough times, but I wouldn't trade them for the lessons I've learned, the people I've met and the blessings of God.  Here's Trace's lyrics:     
She was staring out that window, of that SUV
Complaining, saying I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said I was just like you

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her It's a nice place
She says It'll do for now
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says Baby just slow down

'Cause You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keeps apologizin'
He says they don't bother me
I've got 2 babies of my own
One's 36, one's 23
Huh, it's hard to believe

But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna miss this
Yeah, you're gonna miss this

West Aspens photo by Mike Jewell with permission