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Thankfully, the snow plow did not bury
the fire hydrant closest to our house.
We have only the sixteen inches to shovel.
Passersby compliment us for doing our civic duty.
We reply it is pure selfishness.
If there's a fire, we want water.
Similarly, one can do anything good selfishly.
Perhaps we want others to think well of us,
or we want to think well of ourselves,
or we want God to think well of us.
Love is not like that.
Love seeks no honors.
Love is simpler.
If there's fire, we want water.

Photo of a fire hydrant in Arden, Delaware two days after
the blizzard of January, 2016, after we shoveled the snow.
Photo and prayer 2016 by Danny N. Schweers

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Comments from readers

A friend wrote:
Nice thought. That’s what I sometimes replied, when someone complimented me for being a foster parent. “I did it mostly for selfish reasons. It makes me feel good about myself.”

Roberta wrote:
Important words.

Kathryn wrote:
I especially like this prayer, Danny.

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