Thoughts on the Parable of the Lost Son

I have heard this story of the lost son who returns home to his father after squandering all the money given to him. As I started to read it I felt like okay I have heard this before and I didn't think anything was going to pop out at me but God is good and something did pop out. I started reading about the other son who had stayed home, obeyed his father and had been living a good life but he became all envious of his lost brother because his father was treating him so well and celebrating because of his return. My first thought was this guy didn't appreciate what he had been given all along and my second thought was he was being judgemental about his brother he hadn't even talked with yet. It occurred to me that when I became a Christian God must have been rejoicing just like this father over his lost son but now that it's been 9 years since I fully accepted Christ into my life that I am now in the position of the son who has been around. My question to myself is how well am I doing when it comes to appreciating all that God has given me and continues to provide me with and how judgemental am I when it comes to seeing other people recieving all the attention and celebration? How many times has the phrase come up during bible study or reading, "it's not about me". God wants us to change our self-centered ways and be focused on him and other people. When we are focused on others than we are doing and loving God. So my new action items will be to write at least 3 things I am thankful for in my journaling and to pray everyday to put my focus on others and God.
1. I am thankful for the gift of dicernment that the Holy Spirit is giving me to help me grow more in my faith and relationship with the Lord.
2. I am thankful for my God who is always faithful in providing for me.
3. I am thankful for my husband who listens and supports me and makes me feel special and loved.
Lord, today is about you and all those whom I come into contact with today. Let me be focused on them and be loving, kind, gentle, a good listener and give me the words and actions that may help bring any lost sheep closer to finding their home with you. Amen.