dear daughters (prescription for jealousy)

dear daughters … is a series where I talk to my girls about stuff. I want to invite you to talk about stuff too.

I pray you are loving your one beautiful life.

That you wake up feeling immense gratitude for where you are, who you’re with and what you’re doing in your life. That is my prayer.

dear daughters (on jealousy)

I pray because I know far too well how the thief seeks to kill, steal and destroy your thoughts and feelings concerning your one beautiful life.* And how he uses jealousy to do it.

Instead of thanking God for your one beautiful life (because this is all you get, you know … this is it), you feel sullen, depressed, and maybe even angry that things aren’t working out for you the way you’d like. Instead of looking over your life with joy at your assignment, you look at hers and wonder why God hasn’t given you this or that.

dear daughters (prescription for jealousy)

Dear daughters, you need to know

… it is fear that steals your contentment.

Fear is what makes you say: “I don’t have everything I need. I am missing the BIG THING that she has. The very thing that would make me happy. I am afraid God is holding out on me.”

When I am tempted, just like Eve, to think God forgot to gift me with that one BIG THING. Or if I start to believe he is withholding that one BIG THING out of a hard heart, I remind myself I have everything I need. Because God does not hold out on me.

dear daughters (your one beautiful life)

If my mind won’t willingly follow the Truth, I do things to better appreciate my beautiful inheritance** like:

  • fast social media (because it seems to highlight so many BIG THINGS)
  • clean my closet (managing my own bountiful blessings here)
  • help someone else with their project (more blessed to give than receive)
  • write a letter (kind words for others fills an empty heart)
  • organize my photos (see with my eyes the fullness of my beautiful life)
  • visit Mimi (counting blessings in my family and who better than Mimi … )
  • read a book (to open up my perspective and remind me I am not alone)
  • tidy the house and make bread (gratitude swells in simple things at home, yes?)

While fear whispers lack, I counter by pointing out all God has done for me. Look at my big lovely life! It is so full I can barely keep up. What kind of crazy woman keeps grabbing for more and more?

dear daughters susie davis

If I am to be wildly in love with God and this one beautiful life he has given me, fear has no place in my heart. When I see jealousy, I must slam the door shut. Because an abundant life, a joy-filled life is about agreeing with God and the lines he draws. And it’s about being creative enough to try and see things his way.

dear daughters the prescription for jealousy susie davis

Contentment in your one beautiful life comes by trusting God.

I love you. I trust you. Thank you for my one beautiful life. Amen.

photos: kate stafford

*John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

** Psalm 16:6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.