There's nothing
quite like the holidays to change our season of happiness into a season of envy.
Is everyone dating someone but me?
Is everyone engaged but me?
Is everyone pregnant but me?
One of many
downsides to Facebook/Instagram/whatever the cool kids are using (and I'm not
one of them) these days, are its ability to make us feel like we're not
measuring up.
Like we're not
enough.
And everyone
else has what we want.
We secretly
resent the good that comes to others and wonder "why her and not me?"
A heart at peace gives life
to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs
14:30
Story time:
3 summers ago I
was studying abroad in Italy. Chris and I tried to Skype every other day while I was there (6am
my time/12am his time).
Toward the end
of my trip, an acquaintance of mine from college got engaged and posted
pictures on her Facebook account.
At this point
Chris and I had been dating for two years, with two thirds of that time being
long distance. The promise of getting married was made when the decision to go
long distance was, but a ring was not in the picture. Not yet at least.
I was not happy
about yet another Facebook post showing someone else getting engaged and I had
no problem letting Chris know it too.
This Skype call
did not end on the best of terms, with me essentially saying, "I'm tired of
all these people getting engaged when they haven't been dating as long as we
have."
Blah, blah, blah
(insert typical bf/gf argument from any 90s WB series).
I knew our plan
(to wait until I graduated & for Chris to establish his career in a new
market) was what was best for us. I had been fine with that plan when we made
it.
Until someone else had what I wanted.
What I didn't
know at the time of our Skype call was that earlier that day, Chris had gone on
his lunch break to buy me a ring.
To buy me a ring
to propose on a time table that was right for us. Not someone else. A timetable
that was best for our schedules and our needs.
He proposed five
days after that call. In the airport when I got home.
If only I had known...
We have to stop wanting what
other people have.
This Christmas
instead of wasting another moment wanting what someone else has, how much
better would our days go if we decide to let what we have be enough.
"All of You is more than enough for
all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough"
~BarlowGirl
