1 Peter 3:8-9 8 Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.  9 Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.  Living

If I live for myself ... how to share with others?

If I die to myself ... how much of life I’ve shown?

If I shrink and depart ... to my own desires

How much would I expand in life for everyone to know?

If I hope for myself ... would I be losing faith?

And if I turned from myself would I be gaining strength?

Is it such that for myself any change to be useless

For if I want all for myself I will go to any length

“Love the Lord your God with all you have to offer

and your neighbor as yourself” for that makes you whole

It is not noted in this verse ... to love self is so urgent

It’s written here after all ... that love for self is not a goal

I heard say and said again ... that you can’t love others

unless you love yourself first ... but that’s truth beguiling

For if you love yourself my friend ... how can you love Jesus?

He is all I need to be ... His Life, His Truth, His Smiling

So love self as your neighbor ... may show both as being one

Love in the reflection of the Cross... is praising all day long

In love for God with all your strength, your heart and soul

Is the final touch you need ... to make your life a song

Jan Wienen