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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