Earlier this week the lady that I share an office with had a wreck. When she came in the next day she talked about the accident and how she was stuck in the car and the police officers and all the stuff that goes with being in an accident. Of course I so wanted to tell her MY accident story and really refrained myself from sharing.
Another friend was telling me about her kids and their accomplishments which is quite amazing. When I was telling my hubby about it he asked if I asked a question and I said no. Had I been paying attention I would have asked the question but I wanted to share MY story and I did.
Time and time again people tell me stuff and for some reason I don't pay attention or I try to one up it. (One upping is one of my favorite games!) I know they want to know because the world wants to know all that I do. I have forgotten when a friend said they were going to the doctor and I never asked how it went. I forgot my best friends birthday (who does that?) Generally if it doesn't affect me I don't pay attention.
I have been sick for the last several weeks and I finally got a diagnosis. Before I knew what was wrong I told everyone and forced them to listen to me. I was horrible. Today I talked to a good friend and she asked me what I did today. I told her, she told me a story about people she knew several years ago (like 35!) and she went shopping and got some bargains (!) We talked more then we got off the phone. After she got off I asked hubby, how she could remember a vehicle someone drove that long ago but couldn't remember that I had an ultrasound this week.
After stewing and getting upset it dawned on me that she did exactly that same thing I do. In fact if we were all honest its what we all do. We all have accident stories and we like to share them. We all have children that we are proud of and we want everyone to know how smart/pretty/talented etc they are. But this week I have realized that we don't need to share all the time. There are times when I take the glory away from some body's child. I have been to known to hijack a story or two.
I just can't picture Christ saying "Now Matt, I know your house is nice and all but dude MINE has pearl gates..it's tight!" (Yes I know how that sounded) Christ knew Matthews need and met it. He had to pay attention to those around him, He had to know those who were hurting. He did all the teaching and healing and walking on the water without ever drawing attention to Himself. If we are to follow his example that means that we need to pay attention to others. Let others have their moments, we don't have to share everyone of our accident stories every time someone has an accident.
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Philippians 2:1-4 (The Message)
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.
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