The Grass Isn't Greener

A Lunch That Turned Into a Lesson

There's this restaurant in Baltimore that we go to often. We’ve had a lot of different waitresses over time, but there's this one lady who always reminds me of my best friend. She calls me "Mr. Mintz" just like he used to, and he never let me pay for lunch—he always paid. He’d call her “Lady” and then say, “Just keep the tip.”

Every time I walk in there, she already knows our drinks, already has them ready. And every time I see her, I think of my friend. One night, when it came time to tip, Theresa—my wife—said, “I feel like we should double that.” I looked at her and said, “If that’s what you feel like God’s telling you to do, then do it.” She did, and the woman just kept saying, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” It was almost uncomfortable how grateful she was.

But we don’t know what she was going through. Maybe she needed that tip more than we’ll ever know. That moment wasn’t about the money—it was about obedience and discernment. I didn’t argue with Theresa. If God told her to give more, I wasn’t going to block that blessing.

Discernment Takes Time

That situation reminded me of Hebrews 5:14, which says:

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Discernment doesn’t just come overnight. You grow into it. It's like moving from milk to meat. Some folks are still on milk—still learning—and they don't understand what the Word is telling them yet. We can't judge them too early.

Why do we hold people accountable for the end product when they just got on the potter’s wheel? We judge the mud before it’s even been shaped. Yes, people need to grow, but that’s where we come in—to help them along, to lift them up, not tear them down.

Trusting God in the Small Things

How many of us pray before making a big decision? Probably most of us. But do you ask God what to wear in the morning? Some might say, “That’s ridiculous!” But 1 Peter 5:7 says:

“Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.”

Even the little things matter. He wants me to look my best, feel my best, and be my best. Not for me—but for Him. I’m a testimony of His glory.

When I had shoulder surgery, people would ask, “Who was your doctor?” And I’d tell them. But understand this—it wasn’t just the doctor. That man was blessed because he touched someone anointed. God used that doctor as a part of my healing. People see the healing, ask for the doctor, and don’t realize they’re witnessing a testimony.

God Is In Every Situation

God’s in the details—even when we’re too broken or distracted to see it. I remember times when I was so drunk I shouldn’t have made it home, but I did. Why? Because God was in the car with me. He was there even when I was out of control.

See, the greener grass isn’t always on the other side. The greener grass is where His presence is. Psalm 23:1-2 says:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Those green pastures—that peace—it’s not in another relationship, another job, another town. It’s in His presence. And that’s where we grow. The sun (Son) and the water (Spirit) make the grass green right where you are, if you stay connected to Him.

Don’t Chase It—Water It

Quit trying to chase your own pasture. Water where you’re planted. Some of us are out here trying to be shepherds when God hasn’t even handed us a sheep. He leads us to green pastures, not so we can show off, but so we can rest and grow.

People quote Psalm 23 at funerals, but it’s not just for the dead—it’s for the living. He prepares a table in the presence of our enemies. That means the same folks that doubted you, talked about you, or tried to block your blessing—God will make them watch you eat. But only if you let Him lead.

Be Rooted Where God Plants You

I remember a job I took years ago. The guy who brought me in ended up leaving, and I wanted to leave too. But God said no. So I stayed. Later, someone came along and offered me a new opportunity—one that caused my life to flourish. If I had left too soon, I would’ve missed it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

We read that all the time, but we need to live it. Stop leaning on your feelings and start leaning into God’s wisdom. Some of you are holding onto grudges because you misheard or misunderstood someone. You missed the real person because you leaned on your own understanding.

Final Thoughts and a Prayer

The enemy will always try to distract you with something that looks greener. But while you're staring over the fence, he’s picking your pocket. Stay rooted. Stay planted. Stay focused.

Don’t be fooled by surface-level promises. Trust in the promise-keeper. He is who He says He is. He’ll do what He said He’ll do—in His time.

Let me leave you with this prayer:

Lord, help me to see with spiritual eyes, to trust You fully, and to remain content and discerning in every season. I may not understand everything right now, but I know one thing—You’ll never leave me, and You’ll never forsake me. Use me for Your glory. Help me decrease, so You can increase. Speak through me, work through me, and help me represent You wherever I am. Amen.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side—it’s greener where God leads and where you obey.