Being Goldilocks

Everyone knows the story of Goldilocks - the entitled little girl with no social skills or respect for boundaries. She seemed hard to please, and was only satisfied when she helped herself to the property of one smaller than her, and even when she settled on chair, porridge, and bed, the satisfaction was fleeting - the chair broke, the porridge bowl emptied, and she was rudely awakened and chased from the comfy bed. Personally, I see things a different way...

I have been known to be a Goldilocks from time to time. In fact, if most of us were being honest about ourselves, we would see those same elements in us. Oh, not the breaking-and-entering element, or help-yourself-to-another's-stuff, but that part of us which is hard to please. There is a sort of innate discontentment, and a realization that satisfying things are not satisfying forever. And that is a good thing.

Don and I are living in a lovely beach bungalow right smack dab next to the ocean. Sometimes, the sound of the surf is so loud, it's hard to hear our conversation. We watch the sunsets over Lanai very evening and see the pink clouds of sunrise every morning. We see turtles, rays, and even a shark once, as they cruise by. It's beyond amazing. Yet... there are issues. SInce it is a vacation rental, it has taken some abuse. The water pressure is low. The kitchen is not fully stocked with cooking stuff. There is not a single window covering - which would not be an issue except that there are two men living on the same property. But most importantly, it's not home. You know, home - that place that makes you just sigh the day's woes right out as you fall into the sofa that has your tush memorized. It's that place that has your artwork on the wall, your dishes in the cupboard, and pictures of your loved ones everywhere. It's where you feel safe, it's where you belong.

I look at this life the same way. The planet is full of so many beautiful things: mountains and plains and rivers and oceans. Creatures that swim, fly, crawl, run, sing, chirp, and are covered with feathers, scales, wrinkled skin, and shimmering fur. There are babies and weddings and symphonies and ballgames. There is so much good with this place. Yet... there are issues. There are tragedies every day. People treat each other badly. There are wars. There is evil. But above all, it just isn't home. We who are Christians know that our Heavenly Father is preparing a place for us that makes this place look (to quote Pastor Miles McPherson) "ghetto". If I find myself too content here, I may stop seeking Him and His kingdom - the same as if we find ourselves too content in this beautiful bungalow, we may not continue to search for a long-term home as we should.

So, I will continue to enjoy all this bungalow - and life - has to offer, but still embrace my inner Goldilocks...