When Someone Else Gets the Thing You Wanted

Our past two family Christmases have ended in tears. Not mine, but my nephew Titus’. At three years old he has only experienced two Christmases and so far each one has been slightly traumatic. His grandma, my amazing mother-in-law, gives each of the grandkids a box of goodies picked out just for them. Each year we open gifts starting with the youngest first, which means Titus is the first to dig into his box. This is where the drama/trauma starts.

As his older siblings take their turn opening their Christmas boxes, Titus abandons his box and starts digging into theirs. This results in some sibling infighting and subsequent parental exit strategy for Titus. He must leave the room while the other kids open their gifts. The whole concept of “it’s not all mine” doesn’t sit well with him.

I learn about myself from watching Titus. When he melts into a crying puddle over not being able to play with his siblings’ new toys, I understand. Like Titus, I don’t respond well when it’s not my turn. I don’t always see the logic or the spiritual maturity in smiling while others receive things I desperately want to have. The only difference between Titus and me is I am older than he is and God as my ultimate parent will no longer allow me an exit strategy.

It is difficult when we long for a job promotion and must smile and eat cake to celebrate our co-worker receiving said promotion. It is frustrating when we must don bridesmaid or groomsman attire to a wedding we attended without a date.

Photo Credit: Mikaela Hamilton

It is a challenge to rejoice when other people’s prayers get answered and we are left to accept life’s question marks. It is always hard to accept that sometimes it is just not our turn.

Sometimes it is someone else’s turn to get hired, hitched, and promoted. We don’t get to see the struggle, storms, tears, sacrifices it took them to get to where they are. We only see the joy, the happily ever after, the pretty Instagram pics and inspirational Twitter quotes. We don’t know the whole story.

The irony of life is that in our adulthood we are still learning the lessons our parents tried to reinforce to us when we were three years old. Wait. Ask. Share. Be still. Play. Rest.

When it’s not your turn, practice contentment. Have gratitude for what you have and be present where you are. Celebrate the success of others and know that their success doesn’t mean you are an automatic failure.

We can all learn to appreciate the gifts we’ve been given and be thankful, whether it’s our turn or not.

When Someone Else Gets the Thing You Wanted is a post from: Storyline Blog