My dog is sitting here giving me the “poor me” look. She knows there are treats in my desk and should she somehow convince me that she is pathetically neglected I might give her one or two or three. Her head is down but she is staring out the top of her eyes. This must be the way dogs pray. Her real problem is I know how much she has already had today and anymore would be excessive.
That is my situation with God. I ask for things. I give Him the “poor me” attitude but my problem is He knows what I have already had today and anything more would be excessive.
For two hours this evening I talked to twenty grad students and could not get them to talk back. They sat quietly and listened. If I asked a very specific question I could get a short answer. But no one was volunteering. No one was contributing. That was a tough class. “Poor me.”
Today my car would start but not keep running. “Poor me.” However, I do have a smart neighbor who came over and helped fix it. So I better knock off with the “poor me.” And I did have 20 attentive students. And I did almost overeat. (That happens every day if I am not careful.) And I do have a wife who takes really good care of me. And I do have a Savior who forgives my sins and gives me an eternity of good things. I can forgive my dog. She doesn’t know any better. But I certainly do; so, no more “poor me.” Instead a prayer of thanksgiving is in order. “My cup runneth over.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 26, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org