FACES
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
FOOL
I had transferred to another university across state, so all the girls in my hall were new to me. I was a sophomore in college and I was a fool.
They say envy is one of the seven deadliest sins. It’s probably because you can be envious of someone and other people are not overtly aware. Envy creeps up on you and settles in for awhile. It can make you feel less than, and incredibly sorry for yourself.
All because you are NOT… well, her.
I would see her come and go. She had the style, the walk, and the look that I would never have. She wore the latest clothes, the newest hairstyle. She was invited to all the parties.
I, on the other hand, worked to pay, not only the tuition I failed to earn through scholarship, but my clothes, purchased mostly from clearance sales. I got my hair done at the local beauty school. All of this meant that I was NOT invited to all the parties.
Everyone knew her name. I most certainly did. It was a name that not one person in my small high school had. It seemed glamorous. She came from a big city, private school and seemed to move effortlessly on her way to class, like a model.
I felt so inadequate, so rural.
Until the day we all were heading out for Christmas break. The dorms were emptying as students packed up to spend the holiday with their families. I ran down the hall to use the bathroom before the long ride. I didn’t have a car, but was fortunate to find a ride (for the promise of gas money) from someone going to my corner of the state.
As I went past her room, I saw her. Still there, sitting at her desk. She looked at me and faintly smiled so I said, “Have a Merry Christmas.” She replied, “You, too. Are you heading home?”
I responded yes and asked her the same question and then she said it, the thing that changed everything.
The thing that brought me back to understanding how lucky I was, even if I didn’t have expensive clothes or come from the right school, or even have a cool name.
“Oh, I am staying here. My Mom is in Paris and well, my dad just got re-married and his new wife already has a couple of kids.”
Envy. It can be deadly. It can rob us of happiness and peace about who we are and whom we belong to, who is waiting for us at home. It can keep us from recognizing that we have a lot to be grateful for.
They say if we had to trade our marriage, our family, or our problems with another person, and we really knew what was going on, we wouldn’t change a thing.
I think they may be right.
Questions for reflection:
1. What things in American society promote envy?
2. Who have you been envious of? Why? Were you able to overcome it?
4. What can you do to help yourself or others avoid this deadly trap in the future?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Do you feel as if life is moving too fast?
Have you ever felt flustered, fearful, like a fool?
Perhaps you want to live frivolously or struggle with forgiving someone. You are not alone.
The faces we wear in public may make others think we have it all together. But in reality, most of us are simply trying to make sense of the complex, sometimes confusing, and strangely wonderful moments of our lives.
Open this book and find a word that you are drawn to—and read one of the reflections. You might discover how your own experiences have lifted you to new places and expanded your view of yourself and the world.
About the Author
Donna David is from Kansas City. She loves chocolate, college football and singing along to Christian radio. As a wife, mother and employee, she tends to approach life in a frenzy and is thankful God doesn’t give up on her.