What would happen if......?

     What would happen if we didn't take the time to think about ourselves first?  What would it be like to always choose to be last?  I don't think either end of the scale is great but they bring up some good thought provoking issues.  I know, it's early in the morning (5:30 AM) and even if you are on your second cup of coffee I'm asking a lot for us to think.  Let's take this slowly so that our brains can wake up. 
     Living in a house with one small bathroom.  There is one piece of roast beef on the plate at dinner.  To open the door for yourself or for your wife?  Listen to someone who never stops talking.  Putting up for that TV show that only they watch.  These are a mere pittance of situations that come up where we can practice what Jesus modeled.  What are we going to do?
     This really began when you were a small child.  Wait your turn.  Eat all your peas.  Turn that show off.  A child should be seen and not heard.  There are plenty of this list as well.  What should we expect from our children?  I have always wanted better for my children.  While they all are having a better life than I had as a child; I know that I failed many times.  The good news is we can read the paper and find many parents worse than us.  There are plenty of pet owners who would be helped if we treated them as they treat their pets. 
     The problem is more simple than we think.  Like reading and writing we all have gone to school to gain ability to communicate correctly.  But we don't do that.  What we do is use the same language that our parents and friends used.  The same with work.  We have the same habits (for the most part) as our parents and grandparents.  We "know" that which is right to do but we don't do it. 
     My wife has the habit of correcting pronunciations of words that I do not say correctly.  Hasn't changed me yet.  Why?  Because the way I say things in bedded deep inside me.  It's more than a habit.  It's a part of my soul and my story.  To lose either my soul or story would devastate me.  So, when she corrects me I mispronounce it again!  Drives her nuts!  Okay, that probably isn't nice. 
     So, what would happen if we always appropriate?  Saying and doing the right things?  By whose definition?  Let's choose someone neutral.  How about Jesus!  No, we can't be perfect.  However we can try.  Jesus was all about lifting up people, meeting their needs before his own.  He was willing to be last in order so that we could be first.  He even took his dedication to us to the cross and died there.  Not stopping, Jesus rose again allowing us to have something HUGE that we don't deserve.
     What would Jesus do?  That was a question of the past for many of us.  What would happen if we did what Jesus would do?  Where would our priorities be?  Making money?  Gaining possessions?  Living the fast and easy life?  No, he wouldn't.
     This is tough to do but I'm going to suggest it anyway.  Start the day with that question on your heart.  "What would happen if I acted like Jesus?  When you fail, seek forgiveness and try again.  How many days would it take to notice a permanent change in our lives?  The answer is 2 weeks.  It takes 2 weeks to make a habit and 2 weeks to get rid of a habit.  Two weeks!  That is not a huge time frame.  So, let's give it a try.  Every two weeks change working on one habit to working on another.  Remember to keep the good changes that take place in your life and world.  In 26 weeks you could have potentially taken care of 26 negative habits you have.  Wow!
     You and I won't be perfect when we start, through the process and when the process is done.  Don't strive for perfect.  Don't strive to fail either.  Do this quietly so you and God are the only ones who know your plan.  Then wait for the compliments from others.  Most importantly at the end of our time on earth we can hear: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."