Low-cal Rejoicing - June 24, 2005 I don't have to admit, do I, how intimidated I am by a woman who always has her house in order, her car neat and tidy and a Thigh Master that never gets cold? My house has been in order a few times (always before company is expected, of course) and my car, well, I'll just be honest. Most of the time, my minivan is a rolling compost pile. I found a UFO in there the other day and finally figured out that it used to be a banana peel. You can find pictures of it on the cover of the National Informer. As for the Thigh Master, one look at these sausages will tell you I don't even have one of those.
I've decided not to waste time with jealousy, though, even when I run into Mrs. Clean-House-Spotless-Car-Skinny-Thighs. If you happen to run into No-Thigh-Girl, maybe you could make a point of rejoicing for her too. Understand that, even with a clean house, a spotless car and thighs that don't make sparks when she walks, she too faces struggles. Everyone experiences times of trouble, thighs or no thighs. Jealousy and envy are joy-robbers that lead to bitterness and all kinds of unhealthy things. When you hear about a woman who gets promoted in her high-paying, high-profile career, do you rejoice for her, or do you go home and eat a box of Ding Dongs? When you hear about a woman who has a healthy, stable relationship with a supportive, unselfish husband, are you happy for her? Or do you go home, eat a box of Ding Dongs, and let out a primal scream?
When you hear about a woman who always arrives at church on time with all her children perfectly dressed, can you bless her (even if her kids are multilingual, obey her every whim and do calculus and other higher math tricks on command)? Or instead of blessing her, do you find yourself writing her name out several times in M&M's and eating them one syllable at a time inside a few dozen Ding Dong sandwiches?
It's really okay to rejoice in others' successes and blessings. It's even okay to let someone else's successes inspire you. And it's even more okay not to try to be someone else. Trying to be Ms. Perfect will likely make you frustrated and really grouchy. And we won't even talk about the cellulite buildup from all those Ding Dongs. No Thigh Master could keep up. Be you. Be thankful to be you. You are a child of God created in His image. He didn't finish making you with an "Oh, I did NOT mean for that to happen!" He planned you. You were on His to-do list when He made you, and I think when He finished, He made a giant check mark with great satisfaction and great love. If you'll let your Heavenly Father give you even the tiniest glimpse of how much He adores you, you'll be overwhelmed by his lavish love. You are his precious child.
First John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" True satisfaction doesn't come from svelte thighs (let there be rejoicing). It doesn't come from a clean house (again I say, rejoice!) True satisfaction doesn't come from what we do or what we have, but it's really all about Who we know. Why not spend some time enjoying His lavish love for you? It's eternally more satisfying than any M&M/Ding Dong sandwich, and with eternally fewer calories.
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
