Jesus and Morning Care

Like an episode out of "Kids say the Darndest things", as I was riding to work one morning, I had to take a 12 year old friend to school near our house.  I was later than normal because my schedule was changed for that morning.  He asked me a question that I found very interesting. 
    
    He said, "Why aren't you taking me to morning care?"  [Just to give you a little background, "morning care" is a period before school begins where one of the teachers stays with the students that are dropped off super early...6:30 AM ]
     So I responded happily, "We have a different schedule this morning."
     But he whined, "But, I love morning care and I don't want to miss!!"
     So, with a smirk, I asked him why morning care was so important just because I was in one of those moods to have a good debate.  He didn't really give an adequate response.  So, I continued, "Tell me then, do you love Jesus?"
    He responded, "Yes!"
    This was getting good now!  I said, "Well, who do you love most morning care or Jesus?"
    And, now it gets gooder and more interesting because responded that he loved them both the same.  Just when you think you're making a breakthrough, the breakthrough falls through.

The conversation went on mostly with me trying to convince him that as a follower of Christ we must love Jesus above all else.  In comparison to our love for Jesus we must almost hate everything and everybody else.  But, the conversation made me wonder about my own life.  Sure, I'm smart enough to say that I love Jesus supremely.  I'm not a universalist, ya know.  But, in the expression of the way I live, there are things that compete for the adoration that only Jesus deserves. 

Family can be one of those things.  I love Kimberly and Caleb and "my momanem" but I know I must be careful that my love for them is Christ's love and not an idolatrous one.  Work can sometimes be one of those obsessive things as well.  It is easy to look at my job as being the source of my supply, but it isn't my source because it is God who gives me the ability to get wealth.  There again, I must enjoy my work but love the one who gave the ability.  And, I know the list could go on, but I won't persist.  So, what's your morning care?

Much love!!