Self-centeredness

Last night my husband asked to see my son's gold dollar that his Poppy had given him.  My son did not want to give it to my husband to look at.  He held on to it so tightly.  My husband asked my son if he thought he was going to keep it and then ended with, "I don't need your dollar."  I am amazed that my son would hold so tightly to that one little dollar when all we as parents do is give, give and give more to our children.  We give our time, resources, assurance, love--really, where does the list end when it comes to the love a parent has for a child?  I wondered to myself where this lack of trust or self-centeredness comes from after such a track record of nothing but giving.  My answer came this morning while reading the book of Malachi.  We have a sinful heart.  The book of Malachi starts out with the Lord telling Israel "I have loved you."  Israel's reply blew me away.  Israel asks the Lord, "How have you loved us?"  Really, Israel?  Did you not live through the Exodus, the triumphant battles?  Were not stones erected in remembrance for all the things the Lord did for you throughout history?  How could this great nation just ignore everything that has been given to them and done for them?  Then, I have to turn to my own heart.  I am just like the Israelites.  God provides my every need--physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually--His faithfulness is constant, and yet, when my world is sideways, I ask, "where are you, God?"  As if He has been faithful in every moment of my life and has abandoned me at the one moment I am calling out to Him.  So, where does my son get his selfish heart?  Well, he has a living example of it  every day.  Lord, help us to live in your presence and constant awareness of Your faithfulness to us.