Ever wonder why you order exactly the same dish as your friend in a restaurant but hers looks more appetizing or her portion seems bigger? I get friends saying that to me: “Why does your food always look more appetizing than mine?” I always laugh and say, the problem is not the food, it’s me, I always eat with more relish and that’s what people see and envy, not the dish.
I call it the “greener grass” syndrome. We all have our moments when the grass is greener on the other side of the fence—well, at least, I have. When I see a very slim, statuesque woman pass by, or a starry-eyed newly wed couple, or a mom coddling her baby, or when I visit a friend’s beautiful house. I have my moments.
But God always brings me back to a passage in the Bible that struck me as strange the first time I read it, but it has made more and more sense since I grew...er...wiser.
Psalm 16:5-6, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
The sense of contentment brims over and has spilled on me. I learned to look at my own lot and care for it, and thank Him for the boundaries and limitations that He has—for want of a better word—imposed on me.
I could spend my time looking enviously over the other side of the fence, seeing my neighbor tend her garden and admire her blooms. That would mean my own garden would be untended—weeds would grow, vines would creep uncontrolled and strangle the other plants, worms would have their feast on every green leaf in sight, while other plants die of thirst. Then the other side of the fence would truly be greener.
It helps to know that God apportions our respective lot with wisdom and an intimate knowledge of who we are and how we can turn out to be. Once in a while, I look over the admire and allow a twinge of envy, but then I move back and work on my own lot. I survey what my lot looks like and so far, it's been good—despite, or I should say, because of, the boundaries God has blessed me with.
Monday, January 29, 2007
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6 comments:
there's this saying that when you go to the other side of the fence.. you'll realize that it is not really greener. or you'll realize it's not perfect :)
Hi Gypsy...bloghopped from Prab (I think, hindi ko na matandaan hehe)
Anyway nice entry. I admire the way you look at life. True...I think it's alright to envy a little ( I do also) but at the end of the day, it has to be our life that we have to tend to :)
After these years, I've learned to be content and thankful for all the blessings that come my way. Life is short to keep on wanting for more and never be satisfied.
I also used to envy what other people have. But I am now older and wiser so hindi na. I like that passage from the Bible.
I still get those "greener pastures" syndrome from time to time (being a normal human being). I do know that God, in His infinite wisdom, know what is best for us. Thanks for the verse. It reminded me once again. :- ) - jen
Great reflection Gypsy. It's hard to be contented sometimes... we need God's grace. I, too, am often visited by the green-eyed monster. Prayer helps me a lot to overcome it.w
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