Just Because

I have a little secret.
Sometimes I get jealous of other people. Its not too bad, because I'm fairly secure, but its still there.
Not because of how they look, or because of their jobs, or because of things they have. I've pretty much got it down now that money & "stuff" doesn't bring you happiness.
But sometimes I get jealous of how people get treated.
Jealously flairs up most when I see women with friends, giggling at Starbucks. Or who get care packages in the mail for no reason-- like maybe a card "just because." Or when I hear of people who get presents even when it isn't their birthday, just because someone wants to bless them. Or when I hear people talking of "getting together" or someone stopping by just to talk or hang out.
I had it once-- for a very short time. An incredibly short time, a long while ago. I had a friend or two, and we did the "hanging out thing". And I think that is where I still have these roots of jealousy come up from-- the broken heart I was left with when that friendship was abruptly broken off.
I sometimes just long to know that someone else thinks of me. Considers me. That someone else might think that I, even I, Pilgrim, am important enough to do something for "just because." No special reason, maybe. Just because.
And then it hit me, just now.
As I was picking up the baby's toys and bringing the laundry down the hallway.
Someone did something, just because.
Not because I deserved it, not because of anything.
Romans 5:7-8
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Before I was even alive, God looked forward into time and considered me: sinful, broken, jealous, hateful, prideful, and lost. And God said, I'll do this for her. Just because.
Just because.
Consider that.