Envy
Some people wake up happy. No reason, just happy. For y-e-a-r-s those saccharin souls annoyed me. Or at least when I was young and unaccustomed and uneducated in accurately naming my emotions, but I would learn differently as an adult. Turns out that the more accurate word for my annoyance was and is envy.
Eek…
I thought my response was all about the Sappy Saints who were planning Pansy Parades and Daffodil Dances by dawn. But oh, no, it’s about Moody Mama-SadSack me who would drag her wagon through the morning like it was a punishment, instead of a privilege. May I say, this kind of envy-exposure doesn’t highlight the cute parts of me, like my wiggle when I waddle, but the small-minded part of me. Boo! It was about my underdeveloped gratitude and therefore my tiny pinched heart.
Ouch.
My husband wakes up singing. Truly, he does. And it’s not normal songs like Moon River, oh, no, it’s boisterous tunes like, “When the moon hits your eye like a big piece of pie that’s amore.” And he feels led to belt it out with all the zeal he can muster. Honestly, I’m not ready to be serenaded at sunrise, zeal or no zeal. Even noon would have been a stretch for me.
However…I changed.
Now, get this, I actually look forward to making my way through our dimly lit home to the screened porch to watch the sun come up and greet the new day. Hallelujah! I love to watch the light sweep darkness into the shadows as it takes precedence. It reminds me of how God works in my own life to reveal through His light bearing Word, His brilliant Holy Spirit, and His illuminating people, my inconsistencies, my darkness, like envy.
The sin of envy stunts growth, breeds ill-will, and feeds a critical spirit. Trust me, I know. The good thing about sin, yes, I said good, is we can be both forgiven and delivered from it. Forgiveness, only Christ can give us. And confession (ownership of our behavior) is our first step toward deliverance, which is to leave old habits and begin a new way, a growing up process. Sometimes deliverance is immediate, but I have found in my life it usually involves time and sweaty effort.
Every time we step away from detrimental behavior, it opens up space inside our minds and hearts. It’s important that we fill those spaces with God’s counsel and character. An empty head or heart invites unwanted guests if we are not expedient and specific who is welcome. For instance, we don’t want to kick envy to the curb only to have gluttony replace him. So make a guest list, be specific, and pray God’s counsel. Invite new shipments of joy, integrity, hope’s strength, etc.
And then let’s ask the Lord to lead and guide us in our recovery. Christ allows us to be involved in our change of behavior. We can’t change our heart, that’s God’s specialty, but we can by acts of our will (that God gave us) make different choices.
I began my search for morning’s beauty first through artists work who had captured its stand-alone, stunning appearance on our landscape. Both photographers and painters know the best light is early light (dawn) and last light (sunset) for memorable captures. Then I practiced saying words out loud, kind words, helpful words, in warm tones to those around me. Because I had bought into the belief that I couldn’t talk early, and I certainly wasn’t able to do niceties until after 10:00 a.m. So imagine my surprise and my families when I gradually worked my way into authentic early day cheer.
We can talk ourselves into staying stuck.
“Oh, this trait runs in my family.”
“It’s just the way I am.”
“I tried once and it didn’t work.”
To that I say…let’s start a new legacy, let’s change ( we know people who have), let’s try again, and again, and again.
Last thoughts…
Gratitude is a deterrent to envy. Make lists of how blessed you are. Incorporate thankfulness in conversations to help break habitual negativity.
Applaud daily God’s design of how he made you. It protects mind and heart.
Don’t dissolve in your commitment to change just because its hard work, its suppose to be, sweat equity builds strong character. Rejoice. And again I say rejoice!
All this to say, I love morning! I adore “..when the dew is still on the roses and the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses…”
See I even found a morning song, no pie in the eye, but a deep, happy sigh.
What is the first line of your morning song?
Is it time to add a new song to your sunrise repertoire?
What or who is on your current gratitude list?
Who is on your mental guest list?
Who is your favorite landscape artist?
I’m not a morning person! But, today I was singing “I will sing praise, I will lift my voice…”. I’m retired and fortunate that my husband lets me have a quiet morning to read and pray and think until I’ve had my toast and tea! Thanks for this reminder,
My man isn’t a morning person either, but recently he made a choice to rise early and to his surprise, he likes it. He still doesn’t want to talk. That’s ok, because I had rather talk to my Heavenly friend to start my day. I would love to hear your Les belt out a tune. I can only imagine that little look you throw his way. I’m pretty sure if I were to sing, Troy would go back to bed. 🙂
Thank you for this! I love sleeping in, when I can but then I feel guilty when I do. I know this piece was on being able to change more than becoming a morning person but it spoke to me. Maybe there’s hope for me!
God bless you, dear Patsy, for your encouraging words this morning. It was exactly the boost I needed after a very emotional weekend. Have a day filled with joy.
Dear Patsy,
Your timing on this post is definitely from GOD! Morning song – as of today – the words that immediately came to mind “When morning guilds the sky my heart awakening cries, May Jesus Christ be Praised!” I’ll be looking it up today so that it’s handy for tomorrow morning. Gratitude list – starts with family then friends – then the fact that I’m alive 🤗 perhaps it’s aging and all the medical tests. Then to all those who are on my prayer list. The only name that I can think of is Amy. She’s an Amazing photographer who posts on facebook. I want to Thank You Patsy for bringing the Beauty of Life back to my morning today. Hugs 🤗 and Prayers 🙏, Jo-Ellen
Beautiful encouraging words! Happy to see you’re enjoying mornings in the South!
I appreciate your staightforward approach to life, Patsy.
During the past three years I have been hit with retirement, heart surgery, birth of a grandson with Down’s syndrome, my husbands heart surgery, the selling of our home, moving 4.5 hours away to help with this new and wonderful child, the death of 6 close friends, and glucoma. Yup, thats a lot.
I know and believe my God reigns!!!! Finding new everything was not so much fun, but I did and now to move on.
I would ask for prayers for contentment, purpose and peace.
Sincerely,
While most of our small farm community is looking out their tear stained windows singing Rain, Rain, Go Away, I find myself embracing the heavy skies above Iowa. My smile deepens when I receive the text that reads “it’s raining”. The author being my Farmer, my Cowboy, My Honey till death do we part.
So, “Skippity Do Da Skipity Day” is tickling my lips. Rainy days are sweet escapes to relax and cuddle with my Cowboy. That text was a “round up” a call to meet. It’s a time to reconnect and let go of intense needs of the season that call us to the land. Rainy days remind us of the sweet love that has grown from childhood and has roots that reach deep into 3 generations of family and friends.
We need this time to allow ourselves to breath in the riches that our great Lord and Savior has provided for us. He is so good. So good.
Bye and bye we’ve seen love, frailty, sin, and tragedy come. Bye and bye we know His great love and promises will remain. We will trust in Him through every drop of rain and hold one another tightly through each storms.
I so love you! Guess it’s because we share so many thoughts, experiences. I am a slow beginner of the day also. Coffee n sunshine help. God’s still teaching me much. Yes He recently showed me how evil my sins are…reminding me of His forgiveness from the cross. Pray for me as I will be stepping into a new place of helping others. Needing always to keep relationship with our Father who loves us so. Thank you for always teaching me, reminding me of how much we need Him. Again…i love you! Keep sharing!
Becky
Oh my goodness sakes Patsy, you wrote this for me! Did you actually watch me get grumpy with the security guard at Walmart this morning? Eek! THank you for a sound verbal spanking and a kind reminder of the goodness, kindness, and gracious forgiveness of our Lord. I love you Patsy Clairmont.
Beautiful, Patsy! Thank you for those encouraging and enlightening thoughts. 😊
For years my husband has been tormented by depression and anger. I am able and aware now that his sickness didn’t have to infect my every waking moment of my day. I know who’s I am. My song, when I first get out of bed is; rise and shine and give God the glory glory…there is so much gratitude in me. And I think I’m learning daily how to show my husband and others . Integrity, hope and authenticity are helpful inclusions living daily with Jesus.
I’m so happy, and here’s the reason why…Jesus is a friend of miiiine!
I no longer have a private patio where I can whisper a morning song to my Lord. The birds sang as the Great Artist painted the sky. Summer humidity was just a threat so early in the day. My trees were as tall as my home. The hammock rocked with the breeze. My coffee steamed as I would begin my day with Jesus. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There’s just something about that name …”
That season of life is behind me. A season of disability and many losses followed. But also many joys including raising my beloved Granddaughter. She is 17 now. A high-achieving, humorously determined Christian girl with one year of high school left. This summer she works full time. She’s been accepted to an important 2 week summer program at a college she’s interested in attending in Colorado. She sleeps late, works evenings, spends time with friends, laughs a lot. I don’t sleep until she is safely home. To have quality time together, I have learned to be up when she comes in from work or even later at curfew. Time with her is precious only second to my daybreaks with Abba.
Consequently, I don’t see the sunrise. I have insomnia. I battle fear for her future welfare despite Gods assurances. I live in very little financially. She must earn scholarships. Our tiny duplex has no private yard. So sunrise with Abba has become 8 or 9 am on the couch with coffee. I still sing. Or play worship music. It’s still intimate. It is merely a different season. I know He doesn’t mind. He has given Rachael into my care for another short season. I trust her future into his, despite those middle of the night fearful thoughts.
Patsy, you are a blessing beyond belief. I love you dearly. Your words are like cool water on a hot day. They revive my soul. May God continually bless you.
🎶 This is the day.
This is the day
That the Lord has made
That the Lord has made.
I will rejoice
I will rejoice
And be glad in it.
I’ll be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day.
This is the day
That the Lord has made! 🎶
🎶Morning, I see You in the sunrise every morning
It’s like a picture that You’ve painted for me
A love letter in the sky🎶
-Chris Tomlin
I want more than anything to have the mind of Christ. To embrace his goodness and mercy every day. I’ve been a widow for 21 years and now I’m battling loneliness and depression. As I’m sharing this the birds are chirping. It’s early morning and God has reminded me that his mercies are new every morning.
In the morning when I rise, Give Me Jesus! Jesus is the Hero in the story of our lives. May we treasure the days that God has given us.
Thank you! A different way to view the day…my mother would wake us up to various medleys, I always wondered how she could be so happy at 7:00 AM, oh how I would love to hear her sing now…someday😊
My husband wakes up, jumps out of bed and sings, “This is the day the Lord hath made”. Forty years he has done this. It was hard at first, but now I miss him not singing me awake praising the Lord when he is not home.
Yes, the morning light is so inviting. It beckons us to throw ourselves on His new mercies and that is truly a fantastic way to start the day !