A slice of watermelon has the sweetest flesh in the center.  We always begin to eat that first, working our way toward the rind. We don't realize the change in sweetness until we get another piece and start at the tip.

Such is with our relationship with God. In the center of God's will we find the richness of knowing Him, but we gradually get further and further from the center of His will and our blessings become less and less. It is not until we are restored fully with God that we realize what we've been missing.