Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Free From Me

"Mom, I spilled the tea all over the floor!" 

"Mom, the dogs ran away again!"

"Mom, the computer is not working, come help!"

"Mom, the boys are wrestling again!"

These, and many more, are phrases that make me sigh and say, "Not again!"  I am sitting down relaxing with a good book, or working on the computer, cleaning or cooking and these phrases always cause me to stop what I am doing and give me more work.  Ugh, why do I have to keep chasing runaway dogs and playing referee to a wrestling match with my boys?  Why can't I just do what I want to do?!

I tend to have this I syndrome.  I want it my way!  Do you ever get this way? 

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”  Galatians 5:13

I was called to be free!  So, then, I can be free to indulge in me?  No. 

We were called to be free from ourselves, free from our selfish nature.  We are free to serve in love.  I don't want to focus on just me.  Well, honestly sometimes I do, but that is not what God wants me to do.  I desire to learn to focus on others.  I want God to give me eyes to see what is going on around me, to see the lost and hurting.  I desire to be used as His hands and feet.

When I choose to be free from being selfish, then I am free from irritation, stress and bitterness.  I am free to love and serve others with a grateful heart.  I am free to see God's work at hand.  I am free to see miracles around me.  I am free from myself. 

Are you struggling with the I syndrome?  Pray and ask God to help you become free from selfishness and be open to others around you.

Sweet Blessings~

10 comments:

  1. Ouch. That's it...just, OUCH!

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  2. I too want to serve the Lord, be His hands, feet, and eyes but there is the selfish part that I want it my way. I am with Debi on this one, OUCH! What a wonderful post, thank you! Blessings and love you.

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  3. I am struggling with this syndrome right now... and this is exactly what I needed to hear this morning! Sometimes as the mom, I think we get this way because we are doing so much for everyone else all the time and we begin to wonder where we fit in and as we dwell on that in our flesh we begin to feel slighted... then those feelings fester and without His counsel out comes those sighs and complaints. Yep, this was for me. Thanks for encouraging me! Blessings!

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  4. Great post! I need to be free from me. It's not about me, it's not about me, it's not about me.

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  5. Visiting from the blog party. This is such a realistic post. I too have that syndrome for sure. But the lord is good and faithful, and with His help we can overcome. He saves us so that we can be free from self and serve others. May we get on with the program! Nice to meet you.

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  6. I enjoyed reading your post today. Yes, we all have the I days. However, all those distractions are gone in my home and I miss them. Your thoughts of reaching out from beyond the I's is awesome.
    Just enjoy all the moments!
    Blessings to you and yours! LeAnn

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  7. While I certainly try not to fall into the "I" syndrome Jenifer, I know that if I'm honest with myself I go there more than I should for sure.

    Great reminder!

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  8. I know I struggle with this. Thank you for challenging me.

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  9. What a great reminder of who we are! I think this is a common problem for all, we all struggle with this Adamic nature that we have!
    I will be more open to who I am meant to be paying attention to, tomorrow. I will be off to bed shortly, so I will put it off until tomorrow!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  10. What an awesome post! I need to be free of the I syndrome. What a great reminder that we are here to serve others in love!

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