“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”~Epicurus (Greek philosopher, BC 341-270)
I've come to realize something not so cute about myself. I've been struggling with the grass-is-greener syndrome. Not sure when exactly it started, but it's been within in the last few years and probably the last year that it's come to a head. I've realized that my conversation--both internally and externally--centers around who I think is better off, more spiritual, prettier, has better behaved kids or a better marriage. Yuck. I hate this about myself and I hated admitting it to myself.
A friend of mine who suffers from the same horrible syndrome told me to start looking at my own grass. And I realized it's pretty green. Sure there are some brown spots, a few spots that need sprucing up, but it's not as bad as I've made it out to be. And lately, the grass of others that I've been thinking is greener is not. The Lord always shows me exactly where it is not.
My problem really boils down to the fact that I need to get more in the Word and get more of the Word in me. I booked it to church Sunday and sure enough my pastor admonished us to grasp hold of the fact that "Godliness with contentment is great gain." I Timothy 6:6
And an even greater revelation--when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we don't have time to look around at other's grass. Our perspective is changed when we look towards heaven. With this thought I was reminded of the sweet lyrics of song called "Breathless" by a singer named Elina, wife of one of my favorite singers Tyrone Wells. (you can hear the song on her myspace page)
May we all learn to be content with what we have and to remember what God has given us.
"Breathless."
Days come and go
Waters ebb and flow
Life keeps changing
How quickly I forget
the wonder when we met
Your love amazed me.
Remind me again
Of Your beautiful Presence
The times You came close
Leaving me breathless
Remind me again
Of Your wonderful promise
that You will return
and leave me breathless
In moments of my life
I've seen Your Spirit shine
Painting beauty
But colors turn to grey
How soon the memory fade
And still I'm yearning.
Remind me again
Of Your beautiful Presence
The times You came close
Leaving me breathless
Remind me again
Of Your wonderful promise
that You will return
and leave me breathless
I'll be breathless
You leave me breathless, Lord.
