Monday, July 18, 2011

Green Eyed Monster

There is a four and half age difference between our oldest son and our second born.
There is a 7 year difference between our oldest and the Princess.

Learning that you don't get to do something just because Bubba does is a lesson we cover just about weekly at our house.
Everyone wanting what they don't have instead of appreciating what they do.

Of course along with Bubba's extra privileges come extra responsibilities.
But, not everyone in the house sees it that way-often what is seen is only what the other has or is getting to do and wanting it for themselves.

And The Green Eyed Monster of Jealousy rears it's ugly head.

And Ugly it is.

 I've noticed it not so much different with adults.
And even with this adult at times.

We (I) can see someone else's life/ministry/family/job and want that for ourselves.
Never minding that God has called us to different purposes and place at different times.

My life's calling and ministry and even family will look different than yours and yours from mine.

(I once had a lady tell me how unhappy she was in her marriage and if she could just have a marriage like mine her life would be so much better and easier.  I had to hide my face behind my hand as she said this, for The Hubs and I had just had a major 'Discussion' and it hadn't been resolved yet.
But, all she saw was the fun and laughing we do and not the nitty gritty of  daily life in any marriage.
She was so focused on mine she lost track of what was good and God honoring in hers.)


Once we come to grips with that we can focus all of our energy on following the path Christ has for us.

Often times what we are looking at in someone else are all 'good' things and yet anytime our focus is off of Christ we will become filled with self doubt, pride and jealousy.

But, as we mature and grow we can become content in the path laid out before each of us.
If we keep our eyes fixed on The One who called us.
And make no mistake, if you are breathing you have a calling.
A husband, kids, a job, neighbors- all of those things are calls on your life to be salt and light pointing the way to Jesus.

We'll miss it though, if we just keep wanting what someone else has instead. Forever trying to have what they have instead of focusing on what we've been given instead.
That green eyed monster will make you do things you never thought you would.

Before the world began, Christ called you.
And when He called you he knew what your purpose in life would be.

A Unique one of kind purpose, just for you.

It's so much easier to follow that path, then try to take the one laid out for someone else.





It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Eph 1:10-12 (The Message)




Praying for peace and contentment for all of us.


Blessings,
Angie

2 comments:

Miss Hillbilly said...

Oh dear, you made my toes black and blue today. When I used to have a youth ministry I certainly remember being jealous of other leaders and them being chosen instead of me for certain tasks, or other youth groups and what they were able to accomplish.

Now my ministry is at home. That green eyed monster lives here too. I envy women who have family to help occasionally with children. I envy families that have grandparents. I envy other moms of other babies that sleep.

I am going to put some ice on my swollen toes now...

Angie said...

It's a constant struggle for me as I look at others who our being published and such.
And when I found that some of my material from the blog was being taken and being 'repurposed ' on someone else's The MONSTER reared it's UGLY UGLY head.
But, God is in control and I need to get out of the way and accomplish what he's laid out right before and not worry about the other stuff.

You are accomplishing great things with your boys and not to mention your blog!
Keep pressing on!!

Post a Comment