So often, we think our neighbor has it so much better. They can afford the two ATVs and the snowmobile. Their paint isn't peeling off their home. Their kids are involved in every activity under the sun. And they've always got a smile on their faces.
What we don't see are the credit cards piled up and the debt load they live under. We don't see the stress they feel with every new commitment. We don't hear the argument they had last night over the bill that didn't get paid. We don't see their despair.
The grass is greener where we water it. If we ponder the world and all of its supposed blessings for too long, we lose sight of the spiritual aspects of our life. The world will drag us down when Jesus will lift us up. We need to nurture that spiritual part of our being with the water of the Word. Then life will be full of growth and those things that keep us going forward in the kingdom of God, and our grass will be plenty green enough. (And our neighbors will wonder why we can't stop smiling.)
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Yes, what a great reminder for us to be Kingdom minded...laying up treasure in heaven. I often tell my children that. It's not about things...which we cannot take with us...it's about eternity. We must live in light of eternity.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your weekend, Alycia!
Anita,
DeleteI keep trying to help my children see the same. Hopefully one day soon they'll understand that they should focus more on the kingdom of God and His righteousness and less on what they get for their next birthday or Christmas presents. I'm with you on this one!
It's funny, I have this exact same conversation as paragraph one describes with my 10 year old - just about every week! She says, "why do we have a limit on birthday and Christmas presents?" and I say "because dad and I value spending only what we actually have." I love how you bring that back to how, really, we have everything. Makes it a lot easier to be content :).
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
DeleteI'm so thankful we have everything. Sometimes I go through moments where I want to sell all we have and go into ministry mode with only what we can carry with us. LOL. Other days, I remind myself that God has us right where He wants us.
I, too, have kids who don't understand contentment yet. I pray it's just their age and not an eternal condition.
Love that pin, Alycia! Mary's book sounds great. Can't wait to see it in person. Thanks for all the great promo!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it, Susan! I am having so much fun making them! Another creative outlet God has blessed me with... :)
DeleteThis book is on my "want to read list".. now I'm moving it to the top spot! Hope your enjoying the start of fall. Blessings, friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're moving it up your list, Alicia! :) It's an incredible blessing! Mary did a great job expressing her heart.
DeleteWe are enjoying the blessing of fall...with family vacation in the mountains! Yay!