Love Others and Live for Their Benefit

Daily Bread today said that we can fulfill the Old Testament regulations by doing one thing - Love Others and Live for Their Benefit. Life is so much better when we take a moment to do this - live for another person.

I have been over-doing it a lot lately. I come home, flop on the couch and stay in a comotose form until I can drag myself up to bed. I convinced myself that I had obligations at work that I had to do. Which I did, but I didn't have to do it in the way that it was happening. It all came to a boiling point this Sunday and Monday. It was our FFA State Contests - and I had to run Ag Mechanics. Me. Ag Mechanics. Why? Because sometime in a weak moment I said that I would. It was rough. My poor, pregnant form wasn't ready for it. I didn't have the stamina that I needed. I came home EXHAUSTED. Truly, as tired as I can remember. I knew I needed to eat, but I could have cared less. Every bone in my body was tired. To my core. I was tired. I couldn't sleep because I ached so bad. I was in poor shape! And I couldn't do anything. It has been two weeks since I made lunch for Mark. Probably as long since I made dinner - but I honestly can't remember its been so long. The laundry is piled, the floors need cleaned, and company is coming next week.

So I wonder why I did it. Is it selfish ambition? I was so tired (and hormonal) that when I went to give my report to all of the Ag Teachers I got that shaky, teary voice!!! Really!!! When I get like that I am no good to anyone. I can't love others and live for their benefit, even those that mean the most to me - like Mark.

So today, after a good nights rest (praise God), I made Mark's lunch. It isn't a great lunch. But it makes me so happy to do this simple act of service for him. Loving and serving others can build us to our very core. Not exhaust us to our very core. It is a huge lesson for me. And the upcoming Bambino. When I find myself tired beyond comprehension, I need to ask, who am I doing it for? I need to search to make sure that serving others is allowed to invigorate me and not wear me out - because otherwise we are like popcorn - one little explosion and no good for the long haul.

Lord, I ask for your forgiveness that I didn't ask for your help and assistance in these projects. Please forgive me for not seeking you to learn what I was to do. Help to learn and constantly be reminded of the true golden rule. Mold me and make me into what you need me to be.
Amen.

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law of the Prophets." Matthew 7:7-12.