It Always Comes Back to ME!!

Does the title of today's post cause you to worry that I have forgotten my humble position from yesterday, and am now lost in a world of self-absorption?
Fear not, my friends. All is well.

But I do believe it always comes back to me.

Let me explain.

I think I have mentioned here before that I have a list of 31 Biblical virtues which I use to pray for my children. It has been in those moments when I am praying for my children that I have discovered, it always comes back to me. Yeah, there was the time I was praying that they may learn to be merciful. And self-control is another good one. But most recently, it was the day I was praying that they may develop servants' hearts.
God, please help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly as if they were serving the Lord, not men.
As I prayed, in my mind I was imagining my children serving one another with joy. I was picturing them helping me around the house - with smiles on their faces, as they considered the fact that by helping me they're serving Jesus. I thought, How wonderful it would be, Lord, for my children to truly live and move as though they are serving YOU.

And that's when the Lord brought it back to me.

He reminded me of the day - not too long ago - when I started rattling off to my children all the things I do for them, because I was so frustrated with their lack of desire to help me out. I do an awful lot for these kids and I thought they should take note of my labors and put forth a little more effort to give back. But God reminded me that when I toil for my children, I am serving Him.

I know this! Why is it so difficult to keep that thought in my head???

And it occurred to me...
*If I were to work for my children with joy, rather than grumble when they ask for one more thing,
*if I were to cheerfully respond to their requests for help, rather than make a mental list of all the ways they "owe me,"
*if I were to serve them as though I was serving Jesus, rather than as if I was serving man,
*If I were to model a servants' heart for them!
...perhaps they would learn to respond in kind.
Yes. If I would just be a model for them.

See? It always comes back to me!

Change my heart, O, God!