Some shades of green look hideous on me...

But here’s another insight that could make my soul look even worse. I wonder if you can relate.

Check out what my friend, Cheri Cowell writes. (Janet)

“Shades of Green and White”

Someone asked, after knowing I’d seen the movie The Grinch, “Did they explain why he is green?” I had to admit they didn’t and I, a Dr. Suess fan, didn’t know the answer. I have since come up with two possibilities. One, he lived at the dump and ate toxic waste. Two, and much more probable, is that he was green with envy.

He was envious of the love and acceptance others had that he did not. That green monster has overcome me a few times, and I’m grateful that my outward appearance doesn’t announce what is going on in my heart. Can you relate? The Christmas story has a place where that green tinge could have appeared, but it didn’t. See for yourself…

For Study: Read Luke 1:39-56 (www.biblegateway.com).

For Thought: I’m sure that Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, had to have felt a tinge of the green fever when she discovered that it was her relative, Mary, who would enjoy the blessing of bearing the Christ Child. Although some envy must have been there, the Bible tells us that Elizabeth was filled with joy, “Blessed are you among women, she said. But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord shall come to me...”

I might have slipped in there “But why you and not me? You, after all, are young and have not suffered as I have. And I waited all these years...”

Have you, as I have, envied other people for their apparent blessings, wondering where yours were? Elizabeth teaches us an important lesson: the cure for envy is to openly express sincere joy in the other person’s blessing.

Tell them how happy you are for them, how blessed you are to be able to share in their good news, and how thankful you are to God, who gives such wonderful gifts. When we do the right things, with a right heart (or even just a right intent if that is all we can muster with a green heart), God will give us the joy we need.

For Prayer: Praise God that you don’t actually turn green with envy. Express your gratitude today that God can wash you white as snow on the inside. Ask Him to help you follow Elizabeth in saying, “Blessed are you... and why am I so favored by God that I should be able to share in your rejoicing!” (Cheri Cowell, www.gardensgateministries.com. To respond to this devotional contact Cheri at gardensgate@cfl.rr.com.)

Cheri Cowell is a conference speaker and the author of the newly released Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life. Here is what others are saying about it, “So many earnest Christians struggle to find the will of God in their lives. Cheri Cowell has given us readable, balanced, and scripturally based insights that will bless and guide any thoughtful reader.” —J. Ellsworth Kalas, president, Asbury Theological Seminary

“Cheri Cowell writes with compassionate insight, offering a biblically sound, no-nonsense approach to making God-centered life choices.” —James Robinson, founder Prodigal Song Ministries

Janet Perez Eckles--Faith and Love with a Latin Flair For nuggets of inspiration, visit me at: www.janetperezeckles.com. To receive my free monthly newsletter, please send a blank email to: splashofinspiration@getresponse.com.