The other day I was reminded of The Garden of Eden. I cannot imagine the beauty and perfection that was deposited into that first “home”. After all, God was building the first home for the first persons, Adam and Eve. His creativity was fully on display as was His love for them. He provided all that they would need to find happiness & contentment in that first garden. There they could fully engage with God, talking & walking with Him throughout the garden. The very breath of God coursed through their bodies. Intimacy with God-The Creator was enjoyed at all times.

“Contentment” as defined by dictionary.com is “the state of satisfaction; ease of mind.”

God provided not only for their physical needs but also for their mental & emotional needs. They could live with ease of mind. No worries. No anxieties. No fears. No insecurities. Ease of mind. How had I ever missed that!

“Discontentment” as defined by dictionary.com is “dissatisfaction; a restless desire or craving for something one does not have.”

Discontentment with all that God had provided for them is what pressed in on them & caused Eve to yield to a fruit outside of God’s provision for them. She longed for the very thing which God had warned them to stay away from. She entertained the suggestion presented to her that it would be not only good for her but even better than what she already had been given. And so the fall began.

And so, also began, the struggle with contentment – for us all.

I read this in my devotional, Jesus Calling :

Adam and Eve used to walk with Me in the garden, before their expulsion from Eden. I want you to walk with Me in the garden of your heart, where I have taken up permanent residence.

(May 24, page 151)

Somehow I have never thought of my heart as a garden. As I allow Him, The Gardener, to prune and plant seed in my life, it is then that I bear fruit. As I enter into intimacy with Him, in my heart, talking and walking with Him – I find contentment in Him & His provision. I no longer am restless for something other than what He gives to me.

I find contentment – ease of mind.

And it feels wonderful.

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)

**Today I linked with Unite and Playdates With God  and Teach Me Tuesdays and Soli Deo Gloria and Titus 2 Tuesday and Titus 2sdays  and Far Above Rubies and Tell Me A Story .