Sisterly Rivalry

[After Jacob's wedding night that he believed was with Rachel] When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" - Genesis 29:25

I have three sisters. Sisterly rivalry is bad enough without throwing a husband into the mix! Leah wanted love and Rachel wanted children. I believe that each would have given up what the other wanted, if they could have.  Even way back then, the grass was always greener...

What do you desperately wish you had that you do not? What would you be willing to give up for it? Love? Children? I always wished that I had a beautiful singing voice. Would I give up my writing ability for it? Wow, I don't know. Maybe. Maybe I would get bored with singing and wish again that I could write. Can't I have both?? But then there would be something else I wished I had...

The key to ridding ourselves of this kind of envy is gratitude. We need to quit wishing for that which we lack and focus on what we have. We can hone our God-given talents and use them for God's glory and rejoice in them and be grateful for them.

Life should not consist of trying to get what everyone else has. We should only focus on making the very best of what we have been given, whether talents, love, children or even material possessions. Be grateful for everything you already have. Name those gifts. Start a list of 3 or more each day and really focus on what they mean to you and you will soon be surprised to find that you are happy for your sisters' (and brothers') gifts as well.

God of All Good Gifts,

Thank you for all you have given me. Help me to use all to your glory. Thank you also that you have blessed my brothers and sisters, often differently. Amen.