happy and some of us might be sad. Some of us might be feeling excited to see old friends and make new ones, and some of us might be a little sad that summer is over. You might even be a little scared about going back to school because of all the “new” things that you will have to face. You will have “new” teachers, “new” friends, and some of you might even be going to a “new” school. School is not always easy and when there are “new” things to experience, it can be even more challenging for all of us.
The beginning of a new school year is also a time when we see that many people around us seem to have “new stuff". Some people might have new clothes, a new phone or ipod, new backpack, new school supplies, and maybe even a new bike to ride to school. Sometimes we can get sad because other people have “new” things that we don’t have. When we see a lot of “new stuff", it can even make us a little angry because we want those things for ourselves. When we feel like this, it’s called “envy”. Envy is when we feel jealous of other people and want the things that they have. When we feel this way and compare ourselves to others that can lead to feelings of jealousy or sadness. Envy can also cause us to feel bad about ourselves because we don’t feel good enough.
Everyone feels like this sometime, but the problem with envy is that it can lead to feeling unhappy, sad and lonely. But the great thing is; we don’t have to feel this way! God wants us to know that “new stuff” is not always things that we can see or hold. By trusting in Him, He can give us a “new” way of seeing life and the world around us! Instead of being angry, he helps feel joy! Instead of feeling sad, he helps us find ways to feel happy! Instead of feeling lonely, he helps us feel like we’re not alone, even when no one else is around! And instead of feeling envy, God can help us feel happy for others and love them because of who they are, not what they have or don’t have! That’s a “new” way of seeing things, right?
By trusting in God, he gives us a new way of life that is not based on the things we have. The “new stuff” that God wants for all of us is on the inside. He wants us to love instead of hate. He wants us to share the things we have, even when we have just a little. He wants us to not be alone, but live together in families, schools, churches and all kinds of communities! God wants all of us to have “new stuff”, but most importantly, he wants us to have a “new life”!
