I have been doing some reading, reflecting and researching this morning....yes, it's Thurrrrrrsday. As I'm sitting here, though, my dogs have decided that they would do everything in their power to get me off focus. "HA HA, pups! You only served to teach me a lesson!" (Yes, my dogs and I have learning and sharing moments.)
So, as I'm sitting here trying to read, Indigo (the 8 month old pup) begins crying. I look down and see that she is fervently staring at Midi Lou (the 9 year old mature free-thinker) while said crying is taking place. It turns out that Midi has Indi Bear's nylabone...and that just doesn't fly in our house. Not only does Midi have the bone, she is just laying with it in between her front legs. Normally, Midi Lousky Lou won't have anything to do with such "dog-like" things such as nylabones, but I have noticed that since Indigo has entered our lives, she tends to take an interest. At first, I thought it might be because she saw how much fun Indigo was having while chewing or that she realized her teeth needed a good cleaning. But, I have come to discover that Midi takes the bones just to keep them away from Indigo...even if she doesn't want to chew on them. What a bratty thing to do!
And then I started thinking about my life...cue the learning/sharing moments with my dogs...and wondered how many times I have fallen victim to this same type of behavior. More specifically, how many times do I take things from others just so they can't have them? I'm not talking about physical things, per se, but more of joy, hope, peace, laughter, happiness, grace, love, life...fill in the blanks. Do I get so caught up in how my life is going, where I am headed, how I can get there, who is going with me, that I fail to see the harm and hurt I am causing others by my callous nature and selfish behavior?
If someone needs prayer, do I think more about them or more about how much MORE I need prayer? If someone is hurting, do my thoughts go towards helping in whatever way I can or do I think about the pain in my own life? Do I let my lack interfere with my giving?
So, I probably stretched that analogy too far, but it has me thinking and reflecting as I begin the day...
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." Phillipians 2.1-18
Lately, I have been reminded that I have lost my focus a bit. There was a time when I was wiling to rid my life of unnecessary things, things that are considered "luxury", things that don't have Kingdom or eternal impact. I've noticed, however, that my thoughts have traveled elsewhere as of late. I have become worried with "stuff" and my ownership (or lack thereof) of this "stuff".
