Remember to Forget…
One time when Hannah was a preschooler, I lost my playful daughter during a routine game of hide-and-seek. I found the other three kids within mere moments of hollering, “ready or not, here I come!” But Hannah’s hiding place was elusive. After ten minutes of looking for my four-year-old, I began to holler her name. Another slow ten minutes passed and I began to wonder if my little girl was even in the house. My throat was growing scratchy and my patience wearing thin when I heard a frail voice from beneath my bed utter, “Mom?”
Lifting the dust ruffle, I looked under the queen-sized frame to find Hannah curled up in a ball beneath the mattress. “Honey,” I asked as I pulled her into the light, “Why didn’t you come out when I called your name?”
“I don’t know, Mom,” Hannah shrugged. “I guess I forgot I was here!”
At the time, Hannah’s response seemed to accentuate her blonde hair color, but this morning, as I read the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3-5, I wondered if the great bond slave of Christ might have applauded my daughter’s poor memory.
Consider this advice from Paul’s Holy-Spirit-inspired pen. “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (Phil 2:3, The Message)
Perhaps, like my daughter, I should forget myself for a while. Forget what I think I deserve. Forget what I think I know. Forget what I think I need. And remember the One who wants to love the world through my hands.
The Overflow: ….forget yourselves…Phil 2:3
Oh, my.. I wish that description were truly me! Thanks for the encouragement friend. I could NEVER forget you!
I love this!
Now as far as you…you ALWAYS forget YOURSELF to lend a hand, for your kids, for you hubby, for anything of service or love! Your a great example.