Spring!  After months of snow, ice and wind there is always a sense of expectancy as people begin to look forward to the coming of warmer weather.  The parks fill with joggers; bicyclers appear on city streets; gardeners begin looking for those first buds and blossoms.

Yet what is amazing is how quickly that initial euphoria turns into a sense of complacency.  In only a matter of weeks, people are blindly walking by those very things that brought them such pleasure.

It is not only the beauty in our own backyards that we tend to ignore.  Remember how exciting it was to move into that first house or apartment?  Everything had to be perfect!  That is why it was so satisfying to walk from room to room admiring all the details that made it such a special place.

But how long was it before the paint in the guest room went from being unique to ugly?  Was it about the same time it became obvious that the neighbors were not maintaining their home with the same meticulous care yours was receiving?  How long was it before the house that was once “almost perfect” became something that would “have to do” for a few years?

Let’s be honest, being discontented and unsatisfied seems to be a part of our human nature.  How often do we choose to lament over those things we don’t have in place of being thankful for the blessings that are ours?

Remember the story of the prodigal son?  He saw the possibility of foreign living as being something more exciting . . . more adventurous . . . than his quiet country existence.  As he longed for the opportunity to strike out on his own, he forgot about the security that came from knowing there would always be enough food to eat and a comfortable place to live.  It wasn’t until he was defeated, broke and hungry that he began to understand how truly blessed he had been.

In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul reminded the people to . . . be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  (Hebrews 13:5b)  With a promise like that how could we possibly want, or need, more?

Christ dwells within us.  God’s reign surrounds us.  All we have to do is look around and be thankful!