In the book, Me-First Millie looks a whole lot like That's-Mine-Thelma (part 2), and indeed, they have the same basic problem: selfishness. She is also a bit like Look-at-Me-Louie (part 1). But Millie's problem tends to show itself in slightly different ways.
Grown-up Millie not only wants attention, she wants the most attention. She must be first on the list. No one's issues are as important as hers.
She will insinuate herself and her woes into every conversation. If you have never discussed someone who desperately needed help for a dire problem only to have Millie interrupt you to tell you that she needed it too, you have been blessed. If you have had a disease, she has had it worse. If you had a major surgery, she not only had it, but also had all the complications known to man. Whatever happened to you, it happened to her worse or better, depending upon the discussion.
This selfishness shows in other more mundane ways too. Millie thinks that her schedule is the only schedule that matters. She is late to everything, every time, everywhere. Then she cannot understand why people who have had to sit and wait on her for upwards of a half hour become aggravated about it. She has stolen their time, but for some reason she thinks that is her prerogative.
Millie will sit at home and wait to be served. Even if she is perfectly healthy, there is some reason she must be checked on—again and again and again. Millie not only believes that she deserves everyone's service, she will even dare to tell you exactly how she wants it ministered if it is to please her. We once had a family move into the area where we lived at the time, who called the church building in order to inform the local brethren when they would arrive, how many people they needed to help them unload, and exactly when they wanted it done. Oh yes, and someone might also bring some lunch for everyone that day too! It is one thing to ask if help might possibly be available; it's quite another to demand it
Millie is exactly the opposite of Lydia. When that great lady was converted to the Lord, the first thing she said to Paul and Silas was, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay" Acts 16:15. She knew instinctively that being a disciple of the Suffering Servant meant serving others instead of expecting them to serve her.
And when we all have that attitude, no one does without.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet 4:9-11
Dene Ward
Grown-up Millie not only wants attention, she wants the most attention. She must be first on the list. No one's issues are as important as hers.
She will insinuate herself and her woes into every conversation. If you have never discussed someone who desperately needed help for a dire problem only to have Millie interrupt you to tell you that she needed it too, you have been blessed. If you have had a disease, she has had it worse. If you had a major surgery, she not only had it, but also had all the complications known to man. Whatever happened to you, it happened to her worse or better, depending upon the discussion.
This selfishness shows in other more mundane ways too. Millie thinks that her schedule is the only schedule that matters. She is late to everything, every time, everywhere. Then she cannot understand why people who have had to sit and wait on her for upwards of a half hour become aggravated about it. She has stolen their time, but for some reason she thinks that is her prerogative.
Millie will sit at home and wait to be served. Even if she is perfectly healthy, there is some reason she must be checked on—again and again and again. Millie not only believes that she deserves everyone's service, she will even dare to tell you exactly how she wants it ministered if it is to please her. We once had a family move into the area where we lived at the time, who called the church building in order to inform the local brethren when they would arrive, how many people they needed to help them unload, and exactly when they wanted it done. Oh yes, and someone might also bring some lunch for everyone that day too! It is one thing to ask if help might possibly be available; it's quite another to demand it
Millie is exactly the opposite of Lydia. When that great lady was converted to the Lord, the first thing she said to Paul and Silas was, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay" Acts 16:15. She knew instinctively that being a disciple of the Suffering Servant meant serving others instead of expecting them to serve her.
And when we all have that attitude, no one does without.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet 4:9-11
Dene Ward
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