Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Compare Yourself to Yourself

"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else." -- Galatians 6:3-4

My Mother received a call from someone she knows today. The woman -- a good woman, I might add -- had called to brag about her latest piece of diamond jewelry. Mother was so angry by the end of the conversation. Apparently, the woman bragged on and on about all the jewelry she has and plans to get. She specifically mentioned shopping for a necklace like the one my Mother wears. Fortunately, she didn't find one.

This isn't the first time she's called to brag about something. As I tried to douse the fires of anger, I reminded Mother that only really sad people try to fill a hole in themselves with things. Even sadder are those who try to copy what other people have.

Now, I need to be clear about something. I'm not talking about a friend calling to share wonderful news of a job promotion, a new grandchild or even a new car. I'm talking about someone who endlessly needs to buy things and call others to gloat in the manner of  "look what I've got and you don't have."

We all know people like that. If we get a new outfit, they get a new outfit. If our child makes straight A's, their child makes straight A+'s. It's a constant one-upmanship because they can never be enough for themselves.

It's difficult not to get angry. It's even harder not to lash out or, worse, to be drawn into that same old game. What's the point? All that matters is that we be the best people we can be. We should follow God's plan for us and not worry about all the stuff that tends to cloud the way. None of those things matter anyway. Those things are going with us when we die. And, you know, we won't even care when we get there.