Love Doesn’t Envy

Originally posted on May 12, 2017

This past Sunday, I taught 2-year-old class at my church. I’m a kid person, so I’m generally okay with being around little ones during my many years of not being able to have my own.

The 2-year-olds mostly enjoy free play, but I picked up the lesson sheet to share with them during their snack time. I held up the picture of children at a birthday party, with the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13: “Love doesn’t envy.” I reminded them that even when another child gets a present and they do not, that one way they can show love for God and for each other is to not envy.

Talk about preaching to myself.

The other women helping out with the class that day commented that the lesson was speaking to them. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the very pregnant belly of one of my fellow teachers.

“Love does not envy,” I told the children. “Even when someone else gets a gift you want, you can choose to be happy for them, and you can choose to not be jealous.”

Sure, we all have to FIGHT jealousy and CHOOSE joy, but it’s possible, isn’t it? Yes, there might be times to step away, but it’s always time to nip our envious thoughts in the bud so that they do not grow.

I’m certain those outside the world of infertility experience this struggle as well. Someone else gets the job opportunity that you hoped for, or maybe someone else gets to quit their job when you wish you could. Someone else gets a car, a boyfriend or husband, a new home, or a vacation, and you feel like YOUR dream is coming true for THEM!

Can we choose to not be jealous? Can we choose joy? Can we ask God for the strength to walk out that simple phrase from a children’s lesson: “Love doesn’t envy.”

God, we ask for your help. We want to choose to rejoice with others instead of allowing jealousy to take root.