fence Archives - Diana Derringer

Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

November 12, 2018 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Or so it seems.

That applies to both animals and people. Cows or horses stick their heads through fences to eat grass on the other side. People often try to reach the other side as well.

Many of us believe other people live a better life.

Therefore, we want what we don’t have:

Bigger homes
Nicer cars
Cooler clothes
Better-paying jobs
More travel
Well-behaved children

Life seems perfect for others, while we struggle from day to day. As a result, we get down in the mouth.

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Most people have problems. No one may see those problems, but they are there. Their problems may differ from ours, but that does not make them any easier.

Happiness comes from within.

We never find happiness by:

Comparing our lives with others
Getting more than everyone else
Eating high on the hog

We find true happiness by:

Following God’s plan
Learning to be content in good times and bad
Valuing people more than things
Sharing what we have with those in need

Don’t believe the grass is always greener on the other side. It may be occasionally. Usually it is not.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV).

Thanks to Shirley Redding Rice for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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Don’t Fence Me In

September 9, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

If animals could talk, I think most would say, “Don’t fence me in.” Farmers and ranchers regularly repair fences where cows, horses, or other animals escape.

We may not have physical fences around us. Yet, many of us feel fenced in by circumstances:

Responsibilities
Other people
Lack of personal space
Little time alone

Because of that, we can understand the popularity of the 1934 cowboy song “Don’t Fence Me In.” Robert (Bob) Fletcher of Montana wrote the original lyrics. We can still enjoy much that he wrote about in parts of our great country today.

We explore wide open spaces.
We drive for miles without seeing another person.
We feel free.
Our minds, as well as our bodies, can roam.

Whether we like country life or not, we desire freedom. We want to go, do, and speak as we please. We don’t like people telling us what we can and cannot do.

However, a fence has more than one purpose. We focus on what a fence keeps inside. Equally important is the danger it may keep outside.

With no limits, we live in total confusion. We need fences (rules) to provide order and protection.

Our freedom must do no wrong.

“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil” (1 Peter 2:16).

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Ride the Fence

April 23, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Ride the fence reminds me of a favorite scene in the old movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. The main character, George, walks back and forth in front of Mary’s house, hitting the fence with a stick and mumbling. Mary leans her head out the window and asks, “Have you made up your mind?”

While physically hitting a fence, George was emotionally riding the fence. He hadn’t decided whether to visit Mary. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do about his life goals.

George wanted to travel. Mary wanted a home in their small town. Mary wanted marriage. George did not. Others saw that George was falling in love with Mary. George denied those feelings.

We get nowhere if we physically sit on top of a fence. To move forward, we must climb down on one side or the other. The same is true of our emotions.

Like George, if we ride the fence, we will probably stay upset until we decide. We need to take time for good decisions. We have to emotionally get off the fence.

Have you made up your mind about the direction of your life? What receives most of your attention? What goals have you set? Do those goals match your beliefs?

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose (Psalm 25:12 NIV).

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