To Be Content

I don't live in the mountains. Wind blowing through tall trees, green everywhere with clear blue sky above, fresh air, a mountain stream singing on its way to who knows where. Nope, I don't live there, although I'd love to.

I live on a tiny patch of green that is my yard on a very brown brushy hill in Southern California, with sounds of trains and heavy traffic blasting up to us from the valley. And at times we don't breathe by faith, we breathe by sight! I try to escape whenever I can, to refresh my spirit and rekindle the longing to live in the mountains... someday... But I'm learning to be content. It's taken some time - five years, in fact. But God put me here for the time being. And I'm learning that in whatever state I am, I can be content. It's a hard lesson for me, but I think I'm learning, little by little. I'm with my family, and God has blessed me with some very good friends. And for living in the city, my location is not too bad. We have a pretty good view from our hill, and on clear days we can even see the mountains in the distance. My kids have space. I don't have neighboring houses inches from mine. I have palm trees that serve as nests for barn owls, hooded orioles, and a host of other birds. When I put my feeders out I have hummingbirds come by the dozen. I need to keep looking for the little blessings that will keep my heart content. I still long for a better place, but perhaps that's the way God intended it.