If I Had Only...

Life can be as fulfilling as you make it. When people begin focusing on what the next person has, they miss the true treasures in their lives. You will never be satisfied if you cannot appreciate how God has blessed you.

I can remember a church sermon where my pastor discussed this topic and he explained it beautifully. Two families were brought to the front of the congregation, a family of three and a family of five. The family of five lived in a six-bedroom home and the family of three lived in a two bed, one bathroom home.

He compared the two families' access to resources that provided for their own needs. The pastor then asked how the family of three could be envious of the other family for having more, when both families have exactly enough for their means?

Jealousy is a part of everyone’s personality. Siblings can be envious of one another and be given the exact same things. Employees can be jealous of another employee because their work is always recognized.

Ultimately, envy is a reflection of a person’s insecurity. If you bought a five-year-old car and your older sibling buys a brand new car right after, what is there to be jealous about? If you look at your possessions as if you had nothing, you will never have enough. Both of you are driving, both of you have the means to provide for your upkeep.

Viewing life in this competitive manner will put you in a single competition with yourself in the end.

Just because you do not possess what the next person has does not always mean it is not meant for you. Time is like the center of life, time prepares throughout our journey. When a person does not honor time, they cheat themselves.

I have purposely tried rushing time and I learned that all of the things that I skipped came right back around. God is going to prepare you and teach you before He blesses you.

When I was accepted into college, my parent’s excitement really motivated me to pursue it. I wanted to join the military to travel, as well as, have a career like my peers who were enlisting. I did not want to wait to reach a point of independence. I did not just walk into college and receive my degree. This degree is taking me 4 years, scholarship letters, and longs nights to obtain. This preparation has equipped me with experience that no job straight out of high school would give me.

I am thankful that I can work for what I need and what I want. Fortunately, I did not cheat the trip.

-De'Laurenz