Arrogance of heart

I am reminded in Luke's gospel Ch. 1:51 of God routing the arrogant of heart. I initially read this to mean that God elevates the lowly and favors the poor, which is true. However, a second consideration has led me to see that I will be most happy when I release my "arrogance" which is my preoccupation with self. When I am drawn into my own wants and needs and focused only on that which I want, then I am at risk of "arrogance of heart."

When I take a step back from my wants and needs, when I breathe deep into my life and live in the here and now, in the moment of where I am in this instant, then I can lose the arrogance of heart and stay focused on what really matters: serving others.

This takes the shape of being present for my two sons. My son Zachary has a difficult time using appropriate language toward his brother and Mary Beth and me in the morning. When I am present for him, to him, and with him, I can handle his behaviors in helpful, loving, constructive ways. When I am distracted by my own needs, I can't. This is the arrogance of heart that I need to avoid, that is, the presumption that my needs go before my sons' needs. As a dad, I have committed to be present for my kids. It is what is right and necessary. I am reminded of this in my life and in the scripture.