The Grass is Green

a response to my writing club prompt: green

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The Grass is Green.

Not over there or on the other side, but right here—where I am, grounded in the present.

I learned long ago that the temptation to chase the illusion of greener pastures—where something better seems to lie elsewhere—is a lie. Yearning for it, seeking it out, and going for it leaves one deeply disappointed.

‘The grass is green’ doesn’t mean everything is perfect, but it does mean recognizing and being thankful for what is good in the now, despite the hardships.

I’ve worked hard to cultivate a mindset where, even when the grass starts to wilt, because it will, I choose to focus on joy, gratitude, and hope.

Before I knew God, I turned to philosophy, inspirational quotes, song lyrics, and the teachings of The Secret—especially the law of attraction, which claimed that positive thoughts could manifest desired outcomes.

Looking back, I now believe that ‘the grass is green’ was God’s way of gently reaching me, even before I fully knew Him. After all, we know Jesus loved a good metaphor. 🙂

If I’d known God more intimately back then, I imagine I would have clung to Romans 5:5:

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

We’re allowed to hold on to hope and think positively, even while sitting in despair, whether from loss, betrayal, or feeling stuck.

Some might scoff at the idea, roll their eyes, judge, and call it “la la land.”

I call it perseverance.

James 1:3 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

It contributes to our spiritual maturity, and for that, I’m grateful.

I’m writing this during a season when life feels vibrantly green, making it easier to reflect and share. But this mindset has sustained me through heartbreak, toxic relationships, difficult transitions, and other deeply challenging seasons.

It has helped me find clarity, extend forgiveness, stay calm, hold on to faith, and cling to hope, even when the green fades and I find myself in a pit of despair, on my knees in desperation and pleading.

I tend to “the grass” through prayer, communication, and counsel. These safe spaces—rooted in boundaries and hope—help me notice the garden still blooming from what was once muck, now nourishing new growth and new life within that very space.

To keep pests from messing with my green grass day-to-day, I document God’s goodness in my daily gratitude journal.

Finding gratitude is key—whether it’s a fresh cup of coffee, a phone call with a friend, sunlight breaking through the clouds, or an extra 15 minutes of sleep. It’s a great reminder that God is present.

As my spiritual practices deepen, I have also added a prayer journal to my weekly routine. It allows me to offer praise to God for the good and confess to God the things I’m struggling with.

When I add those journals to my devotionals and Bible study, I’m able to re-center myself during tough times.

I now share these practices with my daughters and anyone in need, hoping they’ll find in them the same lifelines—a reminder to stay grounded and tend to the life God has given us with gratitude, especially on the days when their own grass feels icky and the garden is hard to see through the weeds.

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This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Green."