“Why
not me?”
It
can be hard not to get swept up in feelings of entitlement. Everybody’s
grabbing for more and if you don’t get your hand in you lose out. Personally I’ve
never felt this as much as when I’m in line at a potluck dinner. There seems to
be plenty of food, but if you wait until the end, there is usually a dish that
is empty. What was in it? Is it that one thing that people are raving about? I’ve
missed out. I should have gotten there sooner, should’ve taken my place in line
first. Bunch of hogs, eating up all the good stuff before everyone has a chance
to get theirs.
I’m
a selfish, comfort-loving gal by nature, and when things don’t go my way, I
have an ugly habit of being bitter and resentful toward the person, place or
thing closest to my sucky experience.
The
good news is that I’m growing out of this habit. As the years pass I’m not as
impatient, and more apt to watch than grab. There’s no hurry for more – I’ve
had enough. Getting is overrated; let others get theirs.
Instead
of wanting what you don’t have, appreciate what you do have. It’s not what you
get, it’s what you give. It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve
got.
These
statements all strike a familiar, similar chord: appreciate. Some are actual song lyrics.
Appreciation
for what we have and what others do for us are plain good manners. We try to teach children very early to say
please and thank you, to show appreciation for what they are given. We withhold
treats until they say the magic words, and reward them when they are spoken.
But we can only teach the words, not the feelings. They may say thank you but
under their breath they may be muttering it’s
about time.
It’s
easy to feel as if we deserve better treatment, especially following a difficult
period. We need a break, after all. We want what’s coming to us, and we may feel
as if we are owed good things for hard work or hard times.
But
life doesn’t always give us what we want.
It’s a life-long lesson, learning to appreciate what we have, especially
when things are hard. In this world we are never promised good things in return
for bad.
Except
by God.
God
promises us eternal life in a perfect world – he sacrificed his Son to fulfill
this promise. He promises peace and love and light and everything we need and
want beyond what we imagine. He promises wonderful things that will come after
we die, but he also assures us that some things are available even during our
lives on earth.
Paul
wrote letters of appreciation during periods of imprisonment for doing the very
thing he encouraged others to do: preaching the Good News about Jesus. He had every reason to be bitter, but he
allowed the love of Jesus to spill into his words to others.
This
is extreme appreciation.
Paul
found the love of Jesus in his heart, and as a result, he felt peace and love
and the strength to encourage others even though he was in some seriously scary
situations, in pain, and running for his life. He appreciated all that God gave
him, though his life was marked with death and fear. He couldn’t have done this
without God’s provision. As a result many others were saved and found the love
of God in their own lives. God brought himself to the people in the form of
Paul’s example and his words. He continues to do this for all of us.
We
don’t know what God has planned for us each day of our lives. Some days we
might not get what we think we deserve. But when we focus on the things we don’t
have, it’s easy to miss the things we do have. Often it is the love of family
and friends and community that is most overlooked. I’ve done it. But I’ve
learned that just when I think I’m not getting mine, it’s time to think about
what I’ve already got, and my plate has been full for years. God has done this
for me.
May
we all find the wellspring of Jesus’ love within us, so that we can appreciate what
we have, what we are given, and those who have touched our lives in positive
ways.
Thank
you, Lord, for putting people in our lives who love and encourage us spiritually. Amen.
*******
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious
about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians
4:4-9
I've had this Philippians passage on my mind the last couple of days. We're so much better off helping others along and trusting God to take care of us. I agree, this is something I'm realizing much more as I get older! Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Traci! This verse pops up when I'm focusing on the exact opposite stuff. I'm grateful for what God has taught me - sometimes, I don't even know I've learned it until much later. :)
DeleteOne of my favorite verses - I just shared this with my husband the other day. Very nice post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cindy! I love this verse - such a great reminder to check what we are filling our minds with. I'd much rather fill my head with worthy, lovely, true things than some of the garbage that sneaks in.
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