Mine!!

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement.

Mine!!

Mine, Mine! Cries of indignation and screams of outrage are almost guaranteed when a group of two- and three-year old’s gather. Howls of protest ring out their distressing sounds when toddlers engage in tug-of-wars to jerk toys back and forth with each child determined to claim possession. Fortunately, maturity comes to our rescue along with adult guidance. When children learn to share and quit running rough shod over each other’s feelings, squabbling about possessions lessen. Or do they? Does the self-centered streak we are born with ever completely go away? Or is it simply stuffed out of sight. To our chagrin, do we sometimes find that we are smiling pleasantly on the outside while our insides are howling with envy? The clamor of conflicting emotions puts a strain on our inner well-being. What’s the secret to genuinely rejoicing over the blessings bestowed on others? A good beginning is to call the good fortune of another what it really is–a blessing from God, whether that person recognizes God’s involvement or not.

Acknowledging that it is God Who has allowed blessing for others, starts the process of mature reasoning. God is God, and He can bless who He chooses in ways of His choosing, be it materially, health wise, lovely experiences, or even honors of one sort or another. Once we can acknowledge that another’s blessing stems from the love of God, we can command our soul to rejoice in God’s goodness and ask His help to give us lavish and sincere gladness for another’s’ good fortune. God is no respecter of persons. He has the desire and ability to bestow blessings at the appropriate times to whomever He chooses. Learning to become sincerely happy for others when God showers them with goodness, increases our ability to recognize God’s hand in our own lives. Where we might have failed to recognize God’s hand in our lives, we become more alert to His blessings for us. As a result, our lives are filled with greater capacity for joy because we experience delight on so many more levels. Gratitude for God and His work through and in others makes us happier people.