It's true. My husband & I kinda decided last year to not
do Valentine's gifts and we still didn't this year. That doesn't mean we never
will, but for now, it just doesn't really matter to us. We like to save &
splurge a little more for our anniversary. (Valentine's is almost exactly our
half-anniversary. Kinda like half-birthdays yeah?)
There's a girl I went to college with that got an Iphone from
her husband for Christmas. And for Valentine's Day? A new tablet. Probably
worth close to $1000. My eyes were popping out of my head? Aren't they
"poor college students" just "trying to get by"? How in the
heck do they afford that?? Then, I pull up Instagram, and I see that someone is
going to Europe for a 3 week trip for their anniversary in a few months. And
then on Twitter I see someone say how grateful they are for their NEW CAR that
their husband got them for Valentine's Day. And then I see all the millions of
dollars worth of flowers on Facebook that men are buying for women. It's pretty
easy to start to feel envious isn't it?
Jeffrey R Holland said it best...
"Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in
our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some
special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to
feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when
someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who
is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most
blessed. The race we are really in is
the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the
most universal of those.
Furthermore, envy is a mistake
that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that
is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a
happy moment!"
My happiness should NEVER rely on what happens in other
people's lives. Isn't that an interesting way to think about it? My life isn't
any worse just because someone is going to Mexico for the 3rd time this year.
My life isn't any worse because my sister and brother in law were able to
afford a house worth $100,000 more than mine. My life isn't any worse because
my friend's parents paid for her schooling and she doesn't have debt. My life
is the same. Regardless of what happens to others.
How
sad it would be, to live a life so full of negativity, that we never get to
celebrate the success of others. To let Satan make us feel inadequate or
worthless, just because someone else is succeeding. We are important. Your
marriage is important. Your job is important. And you have a role to play in
your life that no one else can ever fill.
We
may feel envy occassionally, that's pretty normal. But what we do with that
envy is what matters. If you can't talk yourself out of the negativity, the
envy, and the judgement, pray your way out of it. Life is hard enough already.
Why would we honestly choose to down a quart of pickle juice every time someone
else has a happy moment?
So when you see the girl who gets the Michael Kohrs watch for Valentine's Day,
tell her it looks amazing on her. I promise, you won't ever regret being a
little too kind.
4 comments:
Envy is such a tricky thing! This is a great post!
When Joe sees someone getting a new car as a gift he says, "Here, let me give you the gift of debt!" ;) I'm sure some people buy with cash though... This is a great post! Never compare! People have different priorities and are at different points in their life.
this is such a great post. thank you so much for sharing it. I am so happy to be happy when someone else succeeds at something or gets blessed with something. I want so badly to shout Hurray to them and give them a hug. It is so exciting to me to rejoice with family and friends when they do well at something , and our blessed too...! I would much rather be happy for someone than jealous of them...
Such a wonderful reminder, Brooklyn! Love this post! :)
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