Looking Left, Looking Right, or Looking Straight Ahead
“Mama! Tina’s cupcake has more sprinkles than mine!”
“Jenny always gets to be the teacher! I want a turn.”
“Mama took Sissy to get ice cream after her orthodontist appointment. She took me to a store and I had to wait while she shopped for a whole hour!”
“Sara got an A on her essay; I never get better than a B.”
“Dave took Janie to England for their honeymoon; we went to the Smoky Mountains.”
“Teresa’s husband gave her an amethyst ring when she had her baby; mine gave me a bouquet out of the clearance bin at the grocery store.”
“Emily’s daughter’s crocheted afghan won a blue ribbon; my daughter’s house shoes didn’t even place.”
“Charlotte’s son got a speaking part in the play; my son has to be in the chorus–again!”
“Sofia’s daughter made 32 on the ACT; my daughter just made 22.”
“Grace already has ten grandchildren; I’m still waiting for my children to get married.”
If we’re not careful, we can spend our whole lives looking at other women and feeling shortchanged. When we look straight ahead and think about what God has done for us, we know we are blessed. It’s when we look right and left at what He is doing in the lives of others that we are tempted to be dissatisfied.
Let us not become boastful,
challenging one another,
envying one another.
Galatians 5:26
I am convinced that gratitude is one of the best antidotes to feeling dissatisfied.
Let the peace of Christ,
to which you were indeed called in one body,Â
rule in your hearts; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
Gratitude is another one of those essential things that our children need to learn. A grateful heart will bless them every day of their lives. A grateful heart will bless us, too, and, as we all know, God deserves our grateful hearts. He is so very kind and generous to us all.
He who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him over for us all,
how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32