Yesterday I listened to an online sermon on humility. Didn't get all the way through it - I don't get through much of anything these days with Miss Esmé in the picture - but it did get me thinking about what true humility is.
Today I read this quote from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
I tend to be a wallflower. Not the boastful sort, I don't think. Not the kind who has a problem with humility.
But I AM proud. I don't like to look stupid. I don't like people seeing the inner part of me that isn't sure of herself. That constantly messes up and beats herself up over and over for doing so. That questions my abilities as a mother. That questions my value even in God's eyes. I don't want you all to see that part of me!
I want it to look like I have my act together - my Christian act together.
I want it to look like I have my act together - my Christian act together.
And that is not true humility.
For my sake, for my daughter's sake, for Christ's sake, I want the real thing. I want to step away from the wall and shine! I want to set aside all my personal pride and fall flat on my face if I must, so that God's glory can be seen. I know it's there - I just need to let go of my fear of revealing it. God's glory looks far different than mine - and it is far better.
To end I leave you with a link to one of Esmé's favorite videos, Let Your Light Shine.
And here's little Miss Esmé on her way to the bunny cage yesterday with cabbage in hand - shining away. Have a blessed week!
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28 comments:
Love your statement 'God's glory looks far different than mine'--oh, the challenge and the beauty of seeing things with spirit eyes.
Beautiful post--thanks for giving me this little time of devotion and thought while stirring up dinner for the family (I've pulled my laptop into the kitchent)--
Thanks for your sweet comments over at my 'place'--it's always a joy to keep up with your adventures!
Blessings!
Wow- I need to stop being a wallflower too.
And that picture is just adorable!
Off to check out the song.
That is a beautifully written and moving post. I have a post written and scheduled to post for tomorrow about how being real and telling others of my failures as a mom is more helpful then pretending I have it all together. Your post is written much better then mine though!! Thanks for the reminder to see things through God's plan and not my own.
An absolutely wonderful post. I heard it said once that doing the whole "oh I don't measure up, I'm so humble, I'm so awful at everything" thing is pride in disguise. Because it's still a way to stay focused on yourself. I struggle with it all the time.
I love the quote and your words. Thank you for sharing it,
Heather
I enjoyed your quote on letting your light shine. To do so in humility and love would be the perfect balance. It is so easy to get caught up in our pride when the opportunity comes for us or our children to shine. We have to be constantly reminded of whose light we are shining - Jesus.
Great post.
Fantastic post!! It made me think of how pride does rob us in so many different ways!
Humility is actually the character trait we are starting out our school year learning about...Thanks for sharing from your heart!
Have an awesome day!
Beautiful post...beautiful picture:)
Isn't it funny how sometimes what we think is humility on our part is really pride that someone will see us at our worst? I so struggle with this, and can relate to every single thing you said. This is excellent.
I really enjoyed this. I have a hard time looking vulnerable, too. Cute picture of Esme.
What a cutie
Hi there. Thank you for stopping by & saying hello. I think it's awesome what you're doing & I'll have to peek around more. Your little one is beautiful!!!!
Are we not all wallflowers at heart in some things? This is an interesting idea because right now I am struggling to know when to step forward to shine and step back to allow others that opportunity. I hadn't looked at it this way and that helps my thought process.
That is a very interesting concept - I'll have to think on that one. It's such a balance, isn't it? He must increase, and I must decrease - but what does that "look" like? Hmmmm....
So nice to meet you here! Loved reading about your life in Africa. As an MK I SO identified with the things you "miss" - we used to long for chocolate chips, peanut butter and "American" chocolate like M&Ms...things I've begun to take for granted again. Thanks for reminding me to appreciate my little grocery store.
I have that whole quote on my myspace, I LOVE it!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
The quote is beautiful! And, a beautiful photo of your daughter!
Thank you for stopping by my blog, I love hearing from you!
Blessings,
La Donna
So true! Beautiful post! And a beautiful photo as well.... ;)
So true! Beautiful post! And a beautiful photo as well.... ;)
Ohmygoodness! I think I will love you forever for posting that quote by Marianne Williamson. A friend who is a recovering addict hangs onto that quote daily.
Being REAL is so hard, isn't it?
Only, if we would ALL be real, then we would see that everyone else is flawed and just as in need or the grace of God as we are...
I vote for being REAL!!!
Thanks for this post, and thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you'll visit again soon!
What a great post. And lots to think about. As always, Esme' looks beautiful!
Great post. I liked reading it!
Thats was an increadbly honest and touching post. For me I think with some things i am far to proud, far to confident, and with others i have no confidence at all. I seem to swing wildly between over confidence and crushing inseurity.
Wow is right. I really needed to read this today...
'You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.'
Thanks for sharing this.
How I needed this post today. You are a blessing in my life. Thank you.
Your daughter is so darling!! :) Love the picture. That quote has become a really important one in my life as well. :)
Being the 'real thing' tends to be most difficult, but so rewarding!!
Amen! I'm echoing your prayer tonight...that I may be real and humble. (As Beth Moore said..."no performing!")
Thank you for stopping by my blog...I don't think I've ever had a visitor from Mozambique! = )
Your little Esme is beautiful! Look forward to stopping by again, soon!
Blessings,
Tracy = )
A great lesson. One that I completely need to learn myself. Thank you.
Oh how I needed to read that quote today. Thank you! I just love it. And your photos of Esme in the yard with the dog and the bunnies -- make me smile!
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