Selfish Pride

Brianna and I just had our first big dispute since the beginning of our friendship. We both felt ill at-ease and troubled over the matter.

And I came face-to-face with the stark human nature of Ashley Tardif.

Brianna left in tears. I felt sick to my stomach. Neither of us "won."

Mopping the bathroom floor, I wrestled with my pride. No matter how good I think I am, all my righteousnesses are still like this filthy rag. I wished to dump my disgusting selfishness out with the pail of mopping water.

Not an hour later, a test of self-denial again occurred. Again, I failed.

"Ashley, I don't have any more shampoo. Do you think I could use yours until I leave? I would only need it like two times," Selena asked.

"Well... I'm going through my shampoo really quickly and I don't have a very big bottle of it to begin with...and I don't know how I will get more when it is gone. Could you possibly ask one of the other girls?"

Ashley, what about the widow of Zarephath? It was only after she gave to Elisha of the little she had left that God supplied for her during the entire famine...

My conscience seared. I returned to Selina to let her know she was welcome to use my shampoo if she would like, but I had lost my opportunity to give.

She didn't want to use up my resources, and insisted that she would ask someone else.

And so I missed out on a miracle God wanted to work for me. I was too busy protecting my assets to receive the blessing God had in store.

Had I been willing to share...

"Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner!"

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I Timothy 1:15)