"Lovest Thou Me?"

I have the opportunity to teach at a Christian school. Each morning, the teachers have a teacher's meeting. Each day our principal reads a passage of scripture. One day last week, the passage was familiar to me, but SUCH a blessing. I want to share it with you. It is John 21:15- 25. But the verse I want to focus on is verse 15b ".... Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." If you read the passage, Jesus asked Simon a total of three times (which reminded Simon Peter of the three times he denied Jesus) if he loved Him more than 'these'. Each time Simon said yes. Simon was grieved when Jesus asked him these questions because it did remind him of his thrice denial.
Now, I like this passage even though it is hard to read. There are so many things in our life that "come up" that we love. There are people in our lives that we love. Loving/enjoying things and people are not wrong. God wants us to love! However, if we put things above the Lord that is wrong. So, I've been thinking, are there things that I love above the Lord? I mean if Jesus asked me if I love Him what would I say? Well, I would say, "Yes." I do love my Lord. But, do I love him for than 'these'? The word 'these' means different things to different people. Like I said, it could be people, clothes, electronics, etc.
So, here is the question/ thought for today's blog. How is your love life with the Lord? Yes, you may love Him, but do you love Him more than the 'these' in your life?
I'm enclosing words to a song that I love. My mom used to sing this to me when I was a little girl. Every time I read or hear this verse passage, I think of this song.

“Modern times have brought us many comforts, people live in wealth and luxury; but the Master still asks this question, lovest thou Me, lovest thou Me, more than these? Lovest thou Me, more than these, my child, what will your answer be? Very few who will say oh precious Lord I love thee more than all of these, more then wealth, more than fame, more than the world."

So, what is your answer? Just a thought that I've had that is teaching me to 'Learn to Lean on God's Arms."