When She Sleeps

When she is asleep

I kiss her very gently

I tell her I love her

Selfish does not equal clever

Teacher,which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

- Matthew 22:36-40

For me, and many others, leading a selfish life is easy. Our society rewards and expects selfish behavior. Our cultural norm for gauging success is based on money, power and self-indulgent rewards.

In a marriage ,and a quest for heaven, focusing on self leads to doom. All too often I forget this and lose sight of Jesus' commandment. I expect things to go well for me and don't consider the cost that has for my wife or others around me. Even mundane daily choices can move us closer or further from God.

~Getting Gas for your wife instead of sleeping in.
~Playing catch with your son instead of updating Facebook.
~Smiling at others and saying hello instead of hurrying past.
~Talking about plans when you feel like sleeping.

So, I prayed this morning:

Lord, you have made your desires for us so clear. You want us to be with you. To love you completely. And you want us to love others. Help me when I'm weak. I need your Grace to overcome my selfishness. Help me show and share your love with everyone I meet. Let everything I do be for you. Guide me Lord. I ask through your Son Jesus, Amen.