Thursday, September 23, 2010

Don't Fall Prey to Envy

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it! I did not get to see the full moon and Jupiter last night, because we had rain and overcast skies, but I did get to see the full moon peeking through the lacy clouds at about nine o'clock when I stepped outside. I thought I would not be able to sleep, but I was wrong. I slept soundly, even with the full moon.

Yesterday, I looked out the front window, and saw three ibis standing as still as statues in the middle of the street. They were there for about five minutes, and then one of them slowly lifted up one leg, so he was standing on only one for awhile, Then they slowly walked over to my yard and started pecking like they usually do. I should have had a camera, but I was just fascinated watching them.

I can always tell when the weather has been dry for awhile, because the birds and squirrels come to the porch wall and drink out of the bowl I have for them. The birds like to get in and take a bath, leaving very little water for anyone else. They are fun to watch.

Nothing much going on at the park, but I saw three turtles resting on a log that was half in the water. They were big, middlesized and little. And I saw another one airing on the bank of the weir, also an anhinga with its wings folded. God is good!

From Knowing God devotional:

We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed!
Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! Romans 13:13-14 MSG

Because we are imperfect, we are sometimes envious of others. But to be envious is to be foolish. So we must guard ourselves against the natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy when other people experience good fortune. Rather than succumbing to feelings of envy, we should focus on the marvelous things that God has done for us (and we should refrain from preoccupying ourselves with the blessings that God has chosen to give others).

St John Chrysotom offered these words of caution:" As a moth gnaws a garment, so does envy consume a man." So here's a proven formula for a happier, heathier life. Count your own blessings and let your neighbors count theirs. It's the best way to live.

When you worry about what you don't have, you won't be able to enjoy what you do have.
-Chuck Swindoll

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis