Philippians 2:4 – Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (HCSB)

Ephesians 4:2 – with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting^[a] one another in love, (HCSB)

Lord, I’m sitting here sipping my coffee and thinking of what I need to do today.  I’m trying to make this cup of coffee last as long as I possibly can because, when I finish it, I need to make a phone call to someone.  I try to talk to her on a regular basis, but there are days that I just can’t deal with her negative attitude.  She can find something wrong in any given situation.  I wish she could find happiness in something, but her only joy is in her misery.  Instead of looking on the bright side, she can find the dark corner in any sun filled room!  It is always about the woes in her life.  She is not the least bit interested in what is going on in my life, or in her neighbor’s life, or in the lives of her family members.  She is the personification of the old joke “Enough about me.  Let’s talk about you.  So…what do you think about ME?” I keep trying to point out all the positives in her life, but she always has a negative.  I can almost see You smile and shake Your head.  I guess I’m not so different from her sometimes.  I tell You what blessings I want, when I want them delivered, and who I want to be blessed.  Of course, I should always be the first one blessed!  Philippians 2 tells me to not be so absorbed in my own interests but to be aware of the interests of others.  A friend’s shirt says “J(Jesus) O(others) Y(you).  I saw a sign the other day that said “Joy = Jesus, Only You”.   Okay, Lord.  I hear You.   The children’s song says “the joy of the Lord is my strength”, and Philippians 4 tells me that I can do all things through You.  2 Timothy tells me that You have not given me a spirit of fear but of love. I need to show the love and joy of You in everything I do, even in talking on the phone. One more sip of coffee as I make that call.