Nobody has everything.

I'm currently reading my grandmother's book about marriage, and it's super awesome. As I've gotten the chance to discuss parts of it with my family, we mentioned how even the most 'perfect' marriage could look good from the outside in, but that doesn't mean everything is great behind the scenes. Actually, it's quite naive for us to think that there's such a thing as the 'perfect' marriage or relationship because we are fallen human beings, so it's in our nature to screw things up, even when we don't mean to.

Now I'm not married, but I think we can do the same thing with envying other people's lives in general. For instance, I recently have had several people say to me how great it would be to travel and do the things I'm doing. That got me thinking, 'Do these people think that I have it MADE?' Don't get me wrong, I realized how truly blessed I am to be able to have the opportunity to travel the way I do! But it would be foolishness to think my life is perfect or even enviable bc of that. 

The other day, my aunt wisely shared a piece of advice that someone had given her. She said that 'nobody has everything.' Simple, yet profound. 

Let that sink in for a moment. 

Until we are called home to be with our King, there will always be something missing, something disappointing us. I've had my fair share of heartbreak, family drama, and personal screw ups just like the next person. In every situation, the key is to find the positives. 

If you're in a place where you think the grass is greener JUST on the other side ('if I only had more mountains to hike, more city to explore, more exotic places to travel to, a more helpful spouse, a more understanding spouse, a less argumentative sibling, a less grouchy boss, a better looking body, more money, more time, etc...'), then you will never be content. Think of the person's life you envy the most...cause I'm telling you, even THEY have a list of things they wish were different. 

Why don't we flip the talley chart and start keeping track of the positive things in our lives, no matter how small they may seem. God has blessed us in so many different ways, even though we don't deserve, so let's start living like it!