Not being selfish

"Love is not selfish" ...
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor." Romans 12:10

The first statement in today's reading,
"We live in a world that is enamored with "self"." OMW - how true!
...What feels good to "me"?
...What do "I" want?
...What is important to "me"?

Selfishness is the opposite of "LOVE".

Selfishness = devoted to only oneself.
caring only for oneself.
stingy self - full

We often accuse children of being selfish - yet, as adults we are just as much, if not more.
And we know better! We just don't DO better.
God, forgive us. God, help us! 

Selfishness is something that we are quick to pick up on in someone else's life and actions and words ... yet, we are slow to acknowledge and admit within our own selves.
It is hard to admit to selfishness. It is not a "nice" attribute. No one wants to be considered selfish. I don't. But, too often, I am.
God, forgive me.

When we act for own benefit - that is selfishness. Even if we do something for someone else, then ask for acknowledgement - that is selfishness.

It is hard to tell myself "no"  for the good of others. Not just once, but over and over and over. Seems unfair - but once again, God takes me back to the Cross ... and just how "fair" was that to Him?

If we don't have joy at showing unselfishness and love to God and to others - are we really showing love and unselfishness? The Bible says that our hearts are deceitful above all things - how many times has my own heart masked my motives and intentions for doing something? Told myself it was for the  right and good reasons - but it wasn't.

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

TODAY'S CHALLENGE:
Buy something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
*As we sat there over coffee, thinking on this ... I wondered aloud if "buying" something was the only way to say, "I was thinking of you today". Now, I agree with the concept and the idea. But there are times and places that "buying something" just isn't feasible. KWIM?
And when you think about "The Love Dare" as being directed to God, to our selves, to our "neighbors" ... "buying something" is not always the best answer.
God is challenging me to look beyond the "stuff" ... get into the heart of "I am thinking of you". To look beyond what is "easy" or "convenient". To see from another's eyes ... what would mean the most to him/her at this moment in their life?
...It may be something bought.
...But it could be a phone call.
...An email.
...A text message.
...A note of encouragement left to be found later. 
...Something made by hand.
...Something done.
...Something that says
- THINKING OF YOU!

**Lord, open my eyes to what says "Thinking of you" to all those in my life. And show me how to take this love dare challenge to myself - without being selfish. KWIM?
Thank you.