If you were to look into my closet you would never believe that one of my life goals is to live more simply. I want to rid myself of unnecessary objects (clothes in particular) that consume me (as well as my closet). But I can't seem to knock this desire to have more. I can't help but want what it is that others have.
I'm an envious person. And, honestly, I would have to say that we are all in the same boat. This world is full of envy.
I want to own that dress.
I want to be in that kind of relationship.
I want to go on that trip.
I want to drive that car.
But we shall not want. We shall not envy.
We shall appreciate what we have. We shall be happy for the blessings of others.
When I was about your age I remember walking through a department store and having similar thoughts and being overwhelmed by a nagging sense that it would never be enough. I was taking a poetry class at the time, and I remember reading a line about heaven by a classmate in a poem: "where everyone will have new clothes". I began to pray "help me to want less". At 45 I still need to pray this prayer--suppose we all need to until that day.
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