Truth and Self-Deception II

          Hal was happy with his life.  I am a good man, he told himself.  I go to church weekly.  I provide for my family.  I serve others at my own expense.  I pray twice daily and read the scriptures every night.  That's more than some people can say.

         First thing in the morning he rolled out of bed and fell directly to his knees to pray.

         My first thought today was to talk to God, he thought with satisfaction.

          Hal made his way downstairs and began to make his family breakfast.

          I think I've made breakfast more often this week than Monica, he thought to himself with a smile.  I think I've done more for her this week than she has for me.

          As he drove to work he thought about his upcoming employment decisions.  What would make him happiest?  He asked God about it, but didn't seem to hear much in return.  Maybe that meant it was supposed to be his own decision.  He could choose whatever he fancied.  Thinking of his life in general, Hal realized that he hadn't been perfectly happy lately.  How can I fix that?  He wondered.  Maybe he needed to do more service

          During lunch Hal realized that he hadn't done any service that day, so he cast his eyes around hastily and threw away a few bits of garbage around the break room.  I even do service during my lunch break, he thought happily.

          Towards the end of the day he was approached by Steve, one of his coworkers.

          "Hal, can I talk to you for a minute?"  Steve asked.

          "Of course," said Hal.

          "I've been worried about Martha lately.  She's been acting more despondent than normal.   I think we should ask her if she is going through anything difficult at the moment."

          Hal shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably.  "You can if you'd like.  Kind of a strange thing to be asking somebody, though.  I wouldn't want to be poking into her private business."

          Just then Martha walked by.  Steve called her over.

          "Martha, we've been worried about you lately.  Is everything going ok?"

          To Hal's surprise, Martha burst into tears.

          "We just found out that Jim has cancer."

          Steve came over next to her and began to ask her questions in a calm soothing voice.  Hal stood there awkwardly, wondering if he was going to be able to make it to his church meeting after work on time.  After a few minutes Martha began to smile again.  She thanked both of them for listening to her.

          "Anytime," said Steve.

          Martha left, and Hal began to hurriedly pack up his things.  Suddenly something occurred to him, and he turned back to Steve.

          "How did you know that Martha was having a hard time?"

          Steve shrugged.  "I just had a feeling."

          Hal's brow furrowed.  He was just as close to the Lord as Steve was.  "Why don't I get feelings like that?"  He asked.

          Steve shrugged again.  "I feel like they come when we care about others' happiness more than we do our own."

          Hall scoffed to himself as he walked out the door.  That's hogwash.  I think about others all the time.  Now, what more can I do spiritually today to make myself happy?

Luke 18:10-14