A Discontent Town Mouse

I read Town Mouse, Country Mouse, by: Jan Brett today.

While I was reading the story, it reminded me of my need to be content.  Content with all that God has given me, whether it be in the town or in the country.

I also need to remember, there will always be things to fear, things to miss and new things to get used to.  This simple concept can be a challenge for me at times.  Especially when I'm in the grasp of discontentment.  Today was such a day.

I am trying to find my contented heart.  But, it has eluded me once again.

I crawled out of bed feeling very dissatisfied.  I felt like A Discontent Town Mouse, longing to be a country mouse.

"I need a vacation," said the town mouse to his wife.  "Let me take you to see the countryside where I was born.  Life is quiet and peaceful there.  The sun shines brightly every day, and the air is so clear that you can see the stars at night. . ."

Doesn't that passage sound wonderful?  I think so!  I've always wanted to live in the country.  As a little girl, I remember voicing my dislike for city life on numerous occasions.  My parents were very patient with me.  However, my childish ramblings made no difference in our living arrangements.  As a matter of fact, they still live in the same house I grew up in; smack dab in the middle of the city!

. . . they heard the town mouse exclaim: "This is the life!  Wildflowers, spring peepers.  If only we lived here!"

I can hear myself exclaiming the very same things!  You would think--having married a man who desires to live in the country too--that I would already be well established in my country mouse life.  Yet another desire, stronger than my desire to live in the country, prevailed.  It was my desire to stay close to family.

My husband, being the gentle, self-sacrificing man that he is, settled to live in the city so that I could be close to my family.  When your hearts desires conflict, discontentment can never be far away.

The country mice crept out.  "You like it here?" they asked.  "Why, we've always wanted to live in a town house." . . . "Why don't we trade houses?" said the town mouse.  "Would you?" asked the country mouse . . . "We'll leave right away," she said.  As they said good-bye, each of the mice thought that they had the better part of the bargain.

How I would love to trade houses with a family that lives in the country!  Our home is downtown, in the heart of the city.  Right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.  Sirens 24/7, speeding cars racing down our narrow two lane street, booming music from the cars cruising the neighborhood--doing God only knows what, fighting from the rental properties across the way, not to mention all the lights that drown out the beautiful night sky.

Our neighborhood has changed considerably since we moved in, 7 years ago.  I think that's part of why I have grown so discontent with being a town mouse.  Living in the urban jungle just doesn't appeal to me--and never has really.  I'm definitely ready to pack up and move to the country.  The city is wearing me down so, that the thought of a little drive to visit family is looking more and more appealing everyday.

. . . The sun had come out, and everything was glistening and green.  "It is beautiful here," said the town mouse's wife.  "We should try to enjoy it."

In the end, the town mice go back to the city and the country mice go back to the country.  Neither wishing to live anywhere else but home.

Unlike the story, I'm fairly certain I would be content in the country and willing to leave the city life behind me!  The thought of it had me lost in the most beautiful daydream.

I found myself walking through bountiful vegetable gardens, fragrant flower patches and green meadows drenched in golden sunshine; as the sun peered over a big red barn.

My mind was full of wonderful sounds of farm life.  I could hear the mooing of cows, as they roamed the countryside searching for the perfect patch of grass.  The sound of hungry pigs, oinking profusely in eager anticipation of slop time.   The synchronized clucking of chickens pecking the ground for a bit of feed.  Then, off in the distance, the proud cock-a-doodle-do of the resident rooster; boldly announcing the break of dawn.

As I wandered farther into my dream, I heard the rustle of the trees, the sway of the grass and the eerie whisper of the corn fields.

As my mind was lost in the sights and sounds of country living, I began to imagine the smells of country life as well.  I could almost smell the scent of lilacs mingled with the mellow fragrance of freshly mowen hay; and the often sobering smell of manure.  My farm girls heart was delighted and I could sense it all in my mind's eye.  What a lovely daydream it was, until I opened my eyes.

Back to reality and the challenge before me to find my contented heart once again.  To let go of the daydream and seek to enjoy reality.  For my life is so blessed and I am so very happy; despite my hearts unwavering country desire.

In the words of Jane Austen:

"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve."

Even greater still is the following Bible verse:

1 Timothy 6:6 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain."