Today in church, Pastor's sermon focused on the text in 1 Corinthians 8. As humans, we tend to get caught up in the little things, to 'major in minors', as he put it. Looking at the people around me in my life, I again realized that I still have times where I focus inward more than I focus outward.
I also realize that as we mature, our self-awareness grows and we can move from self-centeredness to placing others before ourselves. A newborn baby is completely selfish - only knowing what it needs and that others must provide them with their basic needs for survival. As the child grows, it learns its identity, and that others, too, have needs that must be met. Later on, the child grows into an adult, and learns that others may depend on them for survival. Those are big things, important things to learn.
As a parent, when young children are relying on us to provide for their basic needs, the 'providing' can become our focus, instead of the children. Also realize that parents' needs are met by their children, as well. We watch them grow and struggle and become more independent, but we still have a need to be needed, especially by our children.
I encourage you to take some time and read through that chapter of 1 Corinthians, and then think about the relationships you have with your family, and your relationship with our Heavenly Father. And, the next time you find yourself making a choice, ask "How will this affect our relationship?".
