This was written when Lauren was just a little tyke. She recently had a birthday and I reminded her about this story. Happy 18th birthday to a sweet, helpful, caring young lady with a servant’s heart.
January 25, 2004
I have decided that precious, sweet, cute, adorable Lauren is basically selfish. It seems her favorite word is “me” and if that isn’t enough emphasis for a given situation it is “me, me, me, ME!” Me wants her share of cookies. Me likes to play with the same toys as her big sister. Me wiggles into “her” spot on Grandma’s lap even if it is full. Me wants her book read first. Me cherishes her share of attention. Me is afraid she will be left behind. Me pushes a chair up to the sink to be close beside Grandma while she works. Me notices herself in pictures. Me wants to help Grandpa feed Katie, the dog.
I, too, struggle with selfish motivations. I take good care of my needs, wants, desires and rights. Step on my turf, take what belongs to me, deny me my privileges, and see how I react! Sometimes the picture is not too pretty.
Scripture helps us to evaluate ourselves and teaches us how to develop Christ-like character.
- Let nothing to done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others. Philippians 2: 3-4
- Love does not seek its own way. I Corinthians 13: 5
- Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4: 1-3
- For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3
- Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10
Since the beginning of time when Eve yielded to the lust of the eye and ate of the fruit in direct disobedience to God, mankind has struggled with the temptation to sin. The lure of wisdom and longevity snagged Eve even though it sounded like a reasonable and noteworthy aspiration. But Eve was thinking only of her own wants, desires and rights, and in the process doomed us all to the struggle with sin.
Paul understood this struggle. He said, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Paul also experienced sweet victory. “…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you will be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:12-13
Jude 24-25 offers hope in this passionate benediction:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen”