Category Archives: Personal Growth

Humble Pie

Many of you who know me personally know that humbleness is not an attribute often applied to me.  That is not to say I am not humble but that it usually takes something BIG to remind me of my place.  After I graduated from college, at the tender and all-knowledgeable age of 22, I often did solo work and gave vocal recitals.  My degree was a Bachelor of Science in Music Performance and Education.  Of course, I was the best that ever happened to those who heard me  and mistakes were not part of my repertoire.  I thought!  However, as God always has and does with me He was about to show me that I was human and only He is perfect.  Case in point – I had been asked to sing Voi Che Sepete at a recital.  This is my signature piece and one that I often sing so imagine my surprise and embarrassment when I belched, quite loudly, right in the middle of the song.  Yep, Humble Pie, ala mode!  How about this one?  Shortly after we were married and moved to Bryan, OH I was asked to sing at the 1st Church of Christ.  Of course I jumped at the chance to sing in my new community.  I chose to sing The Lord’s Prayer because the accompanist was excellent and would showcase what I could do.  Yes, but…I simply forgot the words (that I’ve known since childhood) about half-way through and showcased what he could do.  Humble Pie, plus!

As my life progressed I began to look at humbleness a little differently.  It became more a reminder of Who is in charge and less’ all about me’. 

I am humbled:

   When my prayers are answered in ways I could not even imagine.

   When Ray expresses his love for me after 39 years of marriage.

   That God chose me.

   At having awesome Christian best friends.

   By the spiritual gift of teaching and the opportunities I’ve had to use it.

   At the mercies and miracles I’ve seen throughout my life.

   With being allowed to worship (freely, daily, hourly) the One and Only God.

I could go on and on, but as I look at the blessings in my life I am humbled more and more by an Awesome God who is loving me through humbling me.

Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.   Proverbs 22:4

Heavenly Father, Creator of ALL, Master Designer, You alone are worthy of my praise.  I am humbled by Your desire for the best for me.  Forgive me when I stumble, make me always humble in Your presence, for You are everywhere.  Oh, Lord, give me strength and courage to pursue Your plan for me with humbleness and joy.  Let this prayer come before the Throne with delightful fragrance in the precious Name of Jesus.     Make it so!

Why?

Have you ever experienced the pain of the Spirit within?  Have you ever been so totally unsettled with a spiritual decision that you can’t even find the words to pray about it?  Have you ever known with all your heart, mind, and soul that something being done by those who are your leaders is not only wrong, but totally not in the best interests of the body?

Can you explain to me why people want to change God to fit their earthly desires?  Can you tell me why the Bible isn’t big enough for some?  Can you tell me why there is such a feeling of defeat when this happens?

What is the solution?  Where are the words?  When will man stop trying to do it better than God?

My heart is breaking, my soul is aching, I have no words, I fear for the future.  Yet my Lord has clearly shown me in so many of these situations that my empty prayers are going to Him with groans and utterings that I can’t understand (Romans 8:26).  He has told me that He truly has my best interests and future in His plan (Jeremiah 29:11).  He sent the Paraclete, the Holy Counselor, to advise me when things don’t seem right (John 16:6-8).  And above all He loves me so much more than I can even fathom (John 3:16).

Abba, I know You are in control of all situations.  I know You have a plan.  Lord calm my heart and give me the peace that passes all understanding.  I believe You and Your word.  Give me peace, Lord.  As I lift this prayer before the throne let me and anyone else who doesn’t get it know that You are working in the background for the greater glory of the Kingdom.  Amen and Make it so.

Cover Ups

In the course of my lifelong search for what Love really is God has given many examples of it.  We recently had guests for lunch and their youngest son was totally enamored with our black cat’s choice of sleeping/hiding places.  He (the cat) loves to be totally covered up under quilts, blankets, pillows…actually under anything.  We would pull back the throw, that the cat was sleeping under, and all Isaiah could see was two green eyes peering back and he would laugh that delighted two-year old laugh.  I could hear God in that laugh and knew that He was once again giving me a personal glimpse of Him through a child’s delighted laugh.

Psalm 149:4 tells us the LORD takes great delight in us.  He shows us how much He loves us in the many things around us.  Like a child’s delighted laugh, humming birds at the feeders, the shapes and colors of nature, people who model His many attributes, and… Watch for the LORD’s delighted love.  It’s everywhere!

HOLDING BACK

What do we really give to God?  Do we keep anything from God?

Read Acts 20:35

All that we have IS HIS and WAS HIS and will always BE HIS.  The time we spend playing computer games rather than searching for more understanding through the same source IS HIS.  The things we do, like writing, crafting, singing, playing an instrument, cooking, baking, career or job activities ARE HIS.  Every penny of the money we have, earn or inherit  IS HIS.

If we are holding back any part of the ALL that IS HIS we need to ask Him to make us aware.  Pray that we will be made aware of what is needed in the Kingdom.  Our return of His provision let those around us know that WE ARE HIS!  (John 13:35)

NO OPTIONS TO LOVE

John 13:33-34

How often do we pray, “Father, let (help) me love everyone today,” then walk out of our ‘prayer spot’ and totally forget we’ve asked?

Then, someone irritates us with their words…

Then, something happens that wasn’t planned…

Then, another person tells us what someone else has said about us…

Then we feel slighted by someone, in some way…

When we are commanded in John 13:34 to love one another like HE loves us there are no ifs, there are no buts.  One almost might say there are no options.  But there are actually two,  right choices and wrong choices.  The above “thens” have options.  We can choose to respond as HE would with kindness, love, patience, gentleness and self-control.  We can choose to be hateful, gossipy, malicious, or controlling.  What choice we make we shows others Whose we are.

Let’s choose loving one another!!!