Have you ever skipped stones across a pond? There is a cool ripple effect when those smooth, flat stones glide across what used to be calm, serene waters. Once those ripples disappear, the water is once again calm and serene.
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic (James 3:14–15 NIV).
Whenever I have both of my grandchildren visiting me at the same time, my grandson will become jealous of my granddaughter at some point during the visit. Lucas, who is turning four, loves his cousin Cassie, who just turned six months, but he doesn’t always like to share his Grammy with her. If I am holding Cassie and singing to her, Lucas will insist that I sing with him too. If we video tape Cassie doing something, Lucas will be in the background mimicking us or Cassie. Now, at this age, jealousy is understandable and sometimes even cute. But it is important to try and nip it in the bud now, as not to encourage it later.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16 NIV).
It is up to all parents—and I believe grandparents—to teach their children/grandchildren how not to be envious of others. If children are raised being content with who they are and what they have, they will not fall into that trap. In today’s world of video games, cell phones, computers, etc., it is so easy for children to become obsessed with having the latest “things.” A lot of children have the mindset that if their friends have it, they must have it too. Or they want something better than their friends have.
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30 NIV).
Now, let’s go back to skipping stones and the ripple effect. The way parents/grandparents live their lives will more than likely be mirrored by children. The ripple has begun. The water has been stirred and you started it all. How will it pan out? Well, that all depends on how you live your life, on how your children/grandchildren see you. We all need to set godly examples for our children/grandchildren because they are watching every move we make and listening to every word we say.
Do you have envy problems? Do you express those problems in front of your child/grandchild? You must take stock in your behavior and correct it as necessary.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV).
Keep skipping those stones and causing those ripple effects. Just make sure those ripples represent a godly influence.
Debbie Mitchell