“I was in San Francisco recently staying at this bed and breakfast place for people who are in the city to do ministry.  It was a small house, but there were probably fifteen people living there at the time.  The guy who ran the place, Bill, was always making meals or cleaning up after us, and I took note of his incredible patience and kindness.  I noticed that not all of us did our dishes after a meal, and very few people thanked him for cooking.  One morning, before anybody woke up, Bill and I were drinking coffee at the dining room table.  I told him I lived with five guys and that it was very difficult for me because I liked my space and needed my privacy.  I asked him how he kept such a good attitude all of the time with so many people abusing his kindness.  Bill set down his coffee and looked me in the eye.  “Don,” he said.  “If we are not willing to wake up in the morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus.” Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
-Matthew 16:24-25, NIV

I think I have a lot to learn about following.

Following,
Ginger