A Lesson In Selfishness

Being selfish is something we can't seem to get past. I think it's a part of our human condition. It's a never ending lesson to be teaching children. It often seems to me like all behavior issues come back around to just general selfishness.

This week I got an extra teaching opportunity.

Yesterday I got an email from my sister-in-law. Over the weekend their family of 7 was in the van going somewhere. They were stopped at a stop sign when they were hit head on by a drunk driver.

As I talked with the boys today about praying for their cousins, the question was asked, "Mom, why would someone drink and drive?"

After thinking about it for a minute, my answer was selfishness. The person who chose to drink and drive was simply selfish. They thought of nothing and no one else. They thought only of what they wanted.

This person wanted to have a few drinks, have a good time, drown a sorrow or whatever. They wanted to go somewhere without the bother of a bus or taxi or walking. They didn't feel like following the rules and laws.

It's a lesson to be taught young, over and over. It's a lesson to keep on teaching over and over. It's a lesson I hope my kids will both learn before they're old enough to do some big damage with selfishness and have a chance to learn.