Do you ever live in denial of your problems? I certainly do.
Over the weekend this seemingly small situation revealed a bit of a problem. You see I have three children. By nature they are selfish just as I am. They tend to think of themselves first.
First piece of dessert. First in line. First choice of color. First choice of seat. You totally get what I’m saying if you have kids of your own.
Every once in awhile they blow you away with generosity though. It gives me hope and lets me know that what I’m teaching them is not in vain. It’s sinking in. Really. I just saw it. Experienced it.
There is this odd little joy I get out of retrieving and opening the mail. You know as a stay-at-home mom there isn’t much excitement. Unless you count overflowed bathtubs, Sharpie all over the walls or Johnnie getting smacked in the head with a brick, exciting.
Anyway, I love mail. I have to admit, usually it’s disappointing. Bills. Junk mail. Political endorsements. But every now and then you get some great coupons, a magazine, samples, a hand written letter (those are the best).
So this day’s mail was looking good. But we had been away for the weekend. So I decided to set it aside and get everyone fed. It was well past dinner.
I call everyone to the table. Next thing I see my hubby digging through the mail, sorting, opening. Immediately, I was irritated. Here I was cooking and serving dinner. There he was opening the mail that I really wanted to open.
I called him to the table again hoping to get him away from that stack. He opened. He sorted. He even opened something addressed to me. Well, lands sakes! I can’t take it any more.
I said some things. He said some things. And later on I realized. I am so selfish. He rarely gets to open the mail. He’s always at work when it arrives. It’s not like I’ve never opened anything addressed to him.
Here I was doing completely opposite of what I have been trying to instill in my children. Putting others before yourself.
I’m not gonna lie. It is so hard at times. Challenging.
But who said the right thing was ever supposed to be easy. The high road is always harder. I suppose the next time the hubby opens the mail I still may encounter feelings of selfishness. But suppose I don’t act on them.
Suppose I stifle them instead by saving the mail for him to open on several occasions. Then, I suppose I’ll be just beginning to get it right.
Why would I create a stink over something so petty? Because I’m selfish. Because I’m a sinner just like everyone on this earth. But thank God he saved me. He covered every sin through his death.
Titus 3:4 But – “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Can you relate?
Blessings and love sent your way!
Melanie
A Daughter of the King
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