Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. Philippians 2:6-7 NLT
“Me!” three-year-old Erin screeched. It didn’t matter that there were dozens of miniature doggies in the bag of toys she had dumped on the floor. My granddaughter wasn’t about to share any of them with her brother and sister. Of course, that made Ryan and Laura more determined to take them.
“Me,” Erin insisted, pushing her siblings away.
“Erin, you need to share,” Mommy said.
Erin’s defiant “no,” resulted in the threat of time-out in her room, but even that did not deter Erin from defending her right to keep what she obviously felt was hers.
Erin has childhood apraxia of speech and is able to say only a few words. She’s lost words she was once able to say, but “me” and “no” are a consistent part of her limited vocabulary. Despite all the times they get her in trouble, she guards her “power words” the same as her toys.
No one knows when or if Erin will outgrow her speech problem. The therapy she’s been receiving for almost two years hasn’t seemed to help. As for her problem with sharing, she’s not alone.
It’s not just toddlers who struggle with possessiveness. Far too often my actions show that I’ve not outgrown the “me” mentality. Even though I’m old enough to know better, the desire to have what I feel is rightfully mine is powerful.
What a different example Jesus has set for me. He willingly chose to give up his rights as the Son of God to come to earth as a helpless baby. By word and deed he has shown me his way is far better than expecting and demanding my way. And best of all, he promises to help me and to forgive me when I fail.
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you went to the cross. Help me to outgrow my childish ways.
Marlene Bagnull has been married to Paul for 48 years. They are the parents of three grown children and the grandparents of Erin, Ryan, and Laura. Marlene is the author of Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers and three other books. She is also the compiler/editor of For Better, For Worse – Devotions for Married Couples and My Turn to Care – Encouragement for Caregivers of Aging Parents. She is the founder (in 1983) and director of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and has been directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference since 1997. Visit www.writehisanswer.com.
Read Marlene’s devotions.
