Grass

We’ve all heard the phrase “the grass is greener on the other side.”  And if we’re honest, this type of thinking fuels most of our world and interactions with each other.  But what if we say: “the grass is greener where you water it.” I’ve actually found this to be true and it shows the futility of chasing green grass around. We all want green grass in our lives and the people that find it are often the ones who take the time to water it.

This verse from Mark is part of a larger story of the feeding of the five thousand. We hear the descriptive detail that the crowds were invited to sit down on “green” grass. This detail gives us a lot of information.  The only time that the grass would be green in that part of the world would be in late springtime or mid-April. And the miracle probably took place in the late afternoon of the day.  

Jesus fed the crowd over-abundantly on that “green” grass. They didn’t need to look any further. The grass wasn’t greener on the other side.  As we journey this Lent, perhaps the simple invitation is for us to see, smell, feel and enjoy the “green” grass God has laid out for us right here right now. Water your grass today with God’s grace and love. 

Ever Creative God, thank you for the gift of green grass in our lives. Help us to pause, see, smell and enjoy this simple precious gift today. Amen.

Rev. Jim Hearne, Barneveld Lutheran Church, Barneveld, WI

Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass.

Mark 6:39