Utter Selfishness

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Proverbs 20:11

I stood face to face with selfishness last week.

Utter full-blown rebellion, actually.

It was ugly.  Super ugly.

It screamed in my face, demanding attention.

Demanding I cater to it’s selfish whims.

And when I refused,  the reaction was not pretty.

The many witnesses saw how not to act.

How silly it looks to demand one’s way so obnoxiously.

And me, I was thankful the child was only mine during the school day.

But then it hit me – selfishness stinks in any form.

Am I different then the child in my school room?

When I put my own needs before others, I’m no different.

My demands might not be so obvious.

And when I don’t get my way, I never scream.

But sometimes I’m selfish.

And that stinks.

It’s hard to continually place other’s needs before your own.

As parents, we know too well how little time we have for ourselves.

Precious time.

But the next time you are interrupted by someone’s needs,

don’t have an instant reaction to gripe.

Pour yourself out.

Because with God’s strength, you’ll never run out.

God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is focused on Him.

Photos by TK & Linoleum Creative Collective on Unsplash

Yes, God, I’m Listening

For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things. Psalm 107:9

You’re still holding the reins.  Your life. You still want control.

I do?

Yes.

How do you know?  

Easy.  Every time you don’t see your life headed in the direction you want, you worry.  

When an issue pops up on the horizon, you turn to worry instead of trust.

No – what… I do?  

Yes.

Your car needs new tires and new brakes.  Instead of calmly carving out a bit of time to buy some, you let that issue build into a problem larger than it ever needed to be.  

And I solved your problem, didn’t I?  

I sent you help.  

I worked out the details.  

Your job.  I’m moving you to exactly where I want you.  

Flinging wide the doors and slamming the other one shut.  

Your life is changing into the life I have in mind for you.  

Relax.  I know the beginning from the end.  

And I am with you every step of the way.

Your kids, your future…everything.  I’ve got it all covered.

When your mind begins to focus on the unknown, stop.  

Look back.  

Haven’t I solved things for you so far?  

I haven’t brought you this far to leave you high and dry on the side of the lonely road.  

You are loved and taken care of.  

I created you for My glory and to be a blessing to others.  

You can’t possibly reflect My love to others if you are dressed in fear.  

Fling off that ugly wardrobe and walk with Me.  

Trust Me.  

I will light your steps and help your face shine with wonder.  

Many good things are in store.  

So, you didn’t need to worry your little head at all.  

Drop the reins.  Let me pick them up for you.  

We’re in this together.

Photos by Robert Zunikoff, Taylor Schwartz-Olson, & Piotr Musioł on Unsplash