Envy

Of whom are you envious? What is your weak area? Or are you an envy free person? I used to think that envy wasn't necessarily one of my major faults. Isn't that funny? Because the way I see it now, envy has a nasty way of creeping up into the best of lives. And mine is far from best.

Here's one of mine that I recently identified. I traveled to North Carolina a few weeks ago to see friends. (2 sets of friends actually.) One of the couples lives in a sub-division. It's a gorgeous place. I'm not speaking gorgeous like Ron and I could never afford gorgeous. Most of the houses are fairly modest, attractive homes. What I loved was the location. It was built on soft rolling hills, nestled in among the trees, away from the bustle of excessive traffic.

I'm a walker. I love to hike, but even more, I love to be able to step outside my door and just start walking. I don't want to have to drive 30 minutes to get to a nice place to walk. This sub-division my friends live in has everything that I like for walking. I love the exercise that hills provide. I love the wildlife that live among the trees. I love the changing colors of autumn and the beauty of new birth in spring. I was envious of this place.

Back home, walking my neighborhood, I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be nice to have a place like theirs."

I love God. I love that He will sometimes prick my heart so quickly when ugly things overflow from the recesses there. I thought immediately of the people in my little sub-division. I don't know many of them very well yet, but I pray for each family as I pass by the houses in the mornings. I thought about the lessons God has gently been teaching me during my walks in this little not quite as beautiful clump of real estate. I was ashamed of my discontent. And grateful for the 2 1/2 loops I make to get my 2 miles of exercise. And for the work that God has given me here, whatever that may be.

Happy Thanksgiving

My turkey is in the oven, pies are sitting on the counter...the countdown to dinner has begun. I sit at the computer thinking about all the things I'm thankful for.

* God is good, in so many ways. Life is hard and God is good.

* My household goods are here! Of course, it will be a long time before we can find places for all our things, but that's okay. All my children have beds to sleep on and we are happy.

* I have a husband who loves me and kids whose company I truly enjoy.

* My brother-in-law is here with us. And he loves my cooking! It's a joy cooking for people who think you do it well.

* I have a great extended family even though they're thousands of miles away.

* I love my church family.

* The Cookeville Herald Citizen (our local newspaper) publishes my columns almost every week. I love writing and I appreciate the forum that's they've given me to do that.

May your Thanksgiving be a true day of praise. And as we slip into the holiday season, remember what's important in life. (As for me, I'm boycotting Black Friday..the shopping day after Thanksgiving. I don't care how much I can save. I hate that consumerism has hijacked Christmas.)