Is the Grass Really Greener on the Other Side of the Fence?

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

    never will I forsake you.”

A farmer became tired of his farm; and no wonder, you'll say, for he was born on the place. He had spent all his days on that quarter section. When a boy, he drove the cows to and from the pasture, picked apples in the orchard, swam in the creek just around the bend, trudged across the meadow and through the woods to the little frame schoolhouse down at the crossroads.

When he grew to young manhood, he had plowed every acre of the tillable land in the spring, helped to put up the hay in the summer, threshed in the fall, and hauled fodder for the stock in winter. To this same old home he brought his bride. His three children had been born under the same roof where he was born. They had now grown up and gone to homes of their own.

He was sick and tired of the surroundings. He wanted a change; and often in his dreams he pictured a quiet spot where conditions were ideal, where he could spend his old age in comfort and be happy. He told the real estate dealer in town how he felt, so the agent drove out and looked the farm over carefully. He felt sure he would have no difficulty in finding a buyer.

When the weekly paper came on Thursday, the old farmer looked over the ads, and found his farm listed. It stated that the Hammond place of one hundred sixty acres was for sale. The land was fertile and productive - a crop failure had never been known. Forty acres were covered with the best of timber; an artesian well furnished water the year round. There was an abundance of pasture land, through which flowed a small creek; and there was an ideal dwelling house of eight rooms. The barn was large and modern; there were machine sheds, and a granary with spacious bins.

The place was well stocked with horses, cows, sheep, and chickens. It was close to the city, on the rural free delivery, and had a telephone. There were all kinds of fruit trees, both large and small, with abundance of shade around the house.

The old man read the advertisement the second time, then hitched up the team and drove to town to see the real estate agent. "I have read that advertisement," he said, "and as nearly as I can figure out, that's exactly the kind of place I have been wanting. I think I will keep it myself."

How often do we take for granted what we have. Take the time today to look at what you have been given and be thankful.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be thankful for all you have given to us. Help us not just go through the motions and forget how good we have it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.