Faith Matters clergy column from The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015

"What matters in life is not what happens to you, but what you remember and how you remember it."

-- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel laureate in literature (1927-2014)

What are the life stories you tell yourself about you and yours?

Are you busy thinking about how life has dealt you a short hand?

Are you always feeling sorry for yourself?

Is your glass half empty?

Do you think life is just not fair?

Do you think everyone else is better off than you?

Better-looking, younger, healthier, more successful, luckier, enjoying a better life?

If you are busy telling yourself that story, you are no more mature than the child whining to the teacher because somebody else got one more piece of candy or the front of the lunch line two days in a row.

Sorry to be harsh, but it is hard to stay happily married or single if you are always assuming someone else has a better life than you.

It is hard to be content with your home, your clothes, your car, your job, your children, if you are always coveting, wishing for someone else's.

The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but it took a lot of chemicals to make that happen.

It is hard to be content and truly enjoy the food you have on your plate and in your refrigerator, if you have an insatiable appetite for more, more, more.

Sometimes the wealthy seem the least satisfied, while those with simple lifestyles often notice how blessed they are.

Let's learn with the Apostle Paul "to be content with whatever I have." (Philippians 4:11)

Wednesday was Veterans Day and I am giving thanks for those who have risked their lives to provide protection for my life.

Let's remember to be grateful for our liberties and our blessings this month.

Stop the senseless bickering about silly matters like Starbucks' cup design, and get on with trying to make a difference in larger problems in our communities such as hunger, gun violence and immigration to name a few. If those problems seem large and complicated, and they are, then at least work on personal kindness, gratitude and generosity, which are in your control.

Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Gratitude for blessings leads to sharing, not hoarding.

A devoted life of faith includes welcoming others and helping others, even those different from you.

Christ came to take down walls that divide us.

He challenged the wealthy with harsh words: "Woe to you who are rich." (Luke 6:24)

The Apostle Paul challenged one congregation to help another.

I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. (2 Corinthians 8:13-14)

Go to the website called I Like Giving and watch a few inspiring videos about people who live generously.

The Rev. Elizabeth M. Deibert: 941-753-7778 Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 State Road 64, Lakewood Ranch. Email edeibert@peacepcusa.com or call 941-753-7778. Faith Matters is a regular feature of Saturday's Herald, written by local clergy members.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Faith Matters clergy column from The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 ."