I woke up, looked out of the window, and exclaimed,’ouh, it’s a lovely day! Bright and sunny! So we are going to dress a little lighter. A much lighter jacket. No boots. Just a simple brogue.’ Oh, how deceiving!

I got out of the house and it wasn’t all I thought it was. Things were not as it seemed. Even though the sun was shining so bright, it was cold; very cold. It’s true when they say appearances can be deceiving. My perception of what was was different from the actual reality.

Does it occur in our lives to look out of the window of our lives and admire what we perceive to be true about someone else’s life? Does it? Hmm, as beautiful and pleasing as it may look from your window view, the object of your envy’s life isn’t always as it seems. We thrive to be like them based on our perception but once we get close, we come face to face with reality. We discover that even though their life looks bright and shiny from our window, they are not always wrapped up in the warmth of the sun. They experience very cold days.

Let’s learn to be grateful for where we are. What we have. Be grateful in all things .Be grateful for all things.Enjoy your journey, learn from others but don’t be envious. Don’t be deceived by the appearance of what you see outside your window. Your perception is not always the reality.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).