Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

In the story "Acres of Diamonds" a farmer heard about other farmers who became wealthy by discovering diamond mines. He sells his farm to search for diamonds himself. Unable to find any, he became depressed and drowned himself.

The irony of the story is that the farm he sold was later discovered to have one of the most productive diamond mines in Africa. The "acres of diamonds" were in his backyard all the time!

We don't have to travel to the ends of the earth to be blessed! The Lord blesses us here and now. Our God is "a very present help in trouble" Ps. 46:1. He "daily loads us with benefits" Ps. 68:19. His blessings are too numerous to count. They are with us right where we are, right now.

If our heart is right with Him, we experience the daily reality that "He prepares a feast before me in the presence of my enemies." When Jesus fills our heart there is sweetness in our day that highlights the wonderful things the Lord offers us moment by moment. We don't need acres of diamonds. We need only to keep the well spring of our heart pure for Him. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" Prov. 4:23.

Jesus knocks on the door of our heart right where we live, eager to come into our lives when we place our faith in Him. With His abundant love He satisfies our soul. He's closer than our backyard.

Pastor Greg Brownell

Dayton United Brethren Church