Lovely Feet

The rain was coming down in buckets. I waited for it to let up and hoped that the life group meeting would be cancelled. Patrick was working late at school so I was alone in this adventure. Minutes before the meeting, there was still no change of plans, either from God’s weather or our group leader’s choice for the meeting, so I went.

Rain continued to pour down hard as I parked the car near their mailbox at the end of the driveway. I opened the door just enough to poke my umbrella through and pop it open. I still got wet. The umbrella shielded some of me as I reached into the back seat for my bible and the platter of veggies I had brought for the dinner. Thunder and lightning made me hurry my pace all the while trying to be careful not to drop the umbrella, my keys, bible or the food.

Around the front of the car, the gutter was over flowing with water. It was not muddy, but it was wider than I could jump, especially with hands filled. The water crept up the drive and also out into the street. So I looked for another way. I thought that the grass might have soaked in some of the water so I decided to tiptoe around the grass to higher ground. That was a mistake! The umbrella hit the mailbox and went askew! I grabbed for it and everything else in my hands. I just barely held on. Meanwhile, I had stepped into mud that had soaked my shoe and about six inches of my pant leg. ARG!

On the doorstep, I was met with helping hands to grab my belongings, but I didn’t want to enter the house with muddy feet. I asked my friend for some paper towels. She ran to retrieve her supplies. I slipped off my shoes when she handed me the towels and I went to work cleaning them off. She bent down and began to wipe my feet! She carefully held my foot in her hand and wiped it free of the wet dirt clinging there. A picture of another foot washing came to my mind and I felt so humbled. She wiped my foot and scrubbed away the mud from my pants. I told her she didn’t need to but she said quietly and simply that she didn’t mind.

This dear woman of God is a humble servant. She could have simply handed me the cleaning supplies and let me clean up while she helped others get ready for our dinner. She kept apologizing, too. Why? She had done nothing wrong. I had made the mistake. I made the mess and yet she was cleaning it up.

I learned a big lesson that night: Humility flows from both parties when feet are being washed. I had to humble myself to admit my mistake, but also to let someone else make it right. My friend saw a need and without question or judgment she bowed down in humility to help. I also saw in her that Jesus, too, is sorry we are in the mess we make by our sin.

I am not sure I expected the response I got from my muddied feet. Yes, I was surprised. This humble woman revealed no fear that I would muddy her floor, but I might have expected her to in this day of the material being more important than people. I was her main concern, not her floor, not the wasted time, not even her own image.

Jesus may not call us to physically wash each other’s feet, but He does expect His followers to have the same attitude He has and that my friend demonstrated so beautifully.

John 13:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Isaiah 52:7 How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Father, You and Your Son, Jesus, have shown us the way of humility. You have walked before us and ask us to follow Your example. Please forgive us when we hang on to our pride. Forgive us for thinking too much of ourselves. Thank You for caring enough to wash away the dirt from living in sin. Give us humble hearts to show Your love to all people. Amen.

Kneeling on the Inside

Sunday I had the privilege of praying with a Mom whose thyroid cancer has returned. She asked me and my daughter, who is her friend, to join in prayer as the elders of the church prayed and anointed her. After her explanation of what she faced, I got on my knees to pray.

My age may make people think it would be hard to kneel in prayer, but it really is not a difficulty for me. It is harder for me to get up from that position. In fact sitting, kneeling or lying on the floor only becomes a problem when it is time to lift myself up to a stand. Pulling myself up after the prayer for my daughter's friend, I noticed the difference and began to ponder. I sought to dig deeper.

One of the thoughts that came to me was how different I feel when I lower myself to the floor now that I am older, than what I have felt in the past. I have not enjoyed lowering myself. It is true that I have had a prideful spirit many times and humbling myself in any way was a struggle for me. But things have changed. Age has brought experience and maybe just a little understanding of who I am and who I am not! It is okay now for the joke to me on me or about me at times. I even tell on myself sometimes!

I came to ponder the idea that my inner kneeling and humbling myself is making it much easier for me to physically get down, and harder for me to lift myself up. Maybe it has little to do with creaking joints or slower awkward movements. Just maybe it has everything to do with knowing that I am dust and I will return to dust. I am but a breath and will be gone as quickly as I come. I only have worth when I huimble myself before my Heavenly Father, bowing to Him and letting HIM lift me up.

Someday, every knee will bow and every tongue will confees that Jesus Christ is Lord (from Phil. 2:10-11)

God, my Father, You are my King and to You I bow. I, too often, rise up with pride and arrogance toward You and the people You have created. Forgive me for not being truthful in who I am. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to lift me up out of the darkness of my sin. It is when I accept His help then I am able to sit humbly at Your feet, bow before You, and relinquish all my pride. I continue to ask You to reveal Yourself to me and teach me truth. In all things You are Good, You are worthy!

Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

I cannot name names or even tell direct stories about myself or others who have built themselves up, thinking that they knew the answers to life's problems. I imagine we all have been there at one time or another. Sometimes it is even when we are acting in behalf of humility.

Proverb 26:12 states clearly that fools are better off than the man or woman who lifts himself up as the ultimate expert. God has even made people blush when His possibilities over shadow their impossibilities. He made a donkey talk. He let the children of Israel cross a sea walking on dry land! He became a man and walked among us!

It is not so important to have all the answers or even some of them. It is important to know the One who does and to allow ourselves to be taught from Him

Almighty Wise and Omniscient God, You own all the answers that I might ever have need of knowing! You have made it known through Your Word that You are willing to share Your wisdom with men. I have no wisdom of my own. I must remember that my thoughts can never reach the heights of Your thoughts. Thank You for generously offering, anyone who might ask, Your wisdom. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me daily! Help me to lean on You and not on my own understanding!

Proverbs Sixteen

Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

I do not like to think that I may have enemies, but I do know that over the years I have had people who have been very angry at me for one reason or another. Funny thing is that sometimes I am my own worst enemy!

Most of my enemies are made with words misunderstood, words spewed out in anger, or haughty words that bring the other person low. It is only when the other person reacts that I realize that I have made an enemy. But, I don't like to have enemies, and so I become desperate to resolve the problem.

When I try to fix the wrong doing myself it usually turns out worse. My pride or anger is heightened by someone not admitting that I am right and they are wrong. Oh, yes, I try to repair the damage with more of my word weapons. It is like a using a flame thrower to heal a sunburn. OUCH!

It is only when I go to the Lord and ask Him what to do that I find myself on the road to peace holding out the white flag. Through changing my thinking and my way of looking at a situation, I can diffuse the pride and anger in me first. It is His ways that can lead me to peace with my neighbor that has been hurt and wounded by me. It is His ways that allow outstretched arms to embrace the hostile enemy and offer peace and healing. His ways are not my ways, but His ways please Him and eventually please me and my enemy.

Lord of Peace, You are mighty to bring down the strongholds within me. You wash away my guilt and lay out a pathway of healing and peace, if I only will make my way pleasing to You. Thank You for turning my heart toward peace when I am so inflated by self. Thank You for healing me and helping me be a part of the healing in others. Make me a vessel of Your peace.

Proverbs Eleven

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Embarrassing moments turn up when I least expect them. They surprise my puffed up prideful heart and I trip over my inflated ego, landing on the "Look at me" smirk on my face. Oh, yes, when pride infiltrates my heart I can be sure there will be mud on my face soon after.

Last Friday I had gall bladder surgery. All surgeries require some humility. I must admit, I fought this. I don't like to be weak, or even seen as weak. To admit my need for surgery, need for help getting to the bathroom, or to not be able to fend for myself is a struggle for my pride. As I work my way to healing, I am finding the wisdom in humbling myself, allowing myself to be the object of other's concern. It even feels good.

Great and mighty God, You are so good to teach me by experience! You let me fall only when it is good for me to learn the truth by looking up. Thank You for being the wise example of humility. Thank You for picking me up when I do fall! Remind me of my prideful lessons so that I will avoid them in the future!

Humble Obstacles

Would you believe that a fussy baby could be the key to getting a nap? I wouldn't either except today it happened to me!

Abigail was fussy and wanted to be held, so I sat down with her in my arms. I was thinking of all the things I needed to get done. I knew she was tired, but if she didn't sleep I wouldn't get my work accomplished. As I sat rocking her in my arms, I looked into her tired eyes and hummed a little song. She softly relaxed, and I thought I could now lay her down. The attempt failed so back to the couch I went. As she became heavier I adjusted pillows all around her, and then I, too, began to relax. I nodded off quite a few times. I caught a much needed nap at her insistence!

There are many times when we think that the obstacles in our way just need to go away. The truth is that sometimes those obstacles are exactly what we need. Sometimes they bring that much needed rest, like mine with Abi today. Other times the obstacles to our work will take us in a new direction or make us think of a creative solution.

Mary and Joseph faced the obstacle of no rooms left for them to bed down. Their obstacle created a new way for us to understand our God. His birth in a stable revealed to us His humility and love. He did not grasp for the best or richest of the earth. He loved us so much that even in His birth He would place himself as the least of all men so that He could raise us up.

I can imagine Mary, tired from her journey nodding off to sleep with a quieted and sleepy baby Jesus in her arms. The work that needed to be done was just beginning, but there was time to take a rest. Have you taken time to rest today?

Dearest Lord Jesus, You are above all but so humble! You chose the place of lowest position even at Your birth. I struggle often to put aside my pride and walk humbly before others. I want them to know how smart or accomplished I seem to be in my own eyes. Forgive me, Lord. Thank You for being my teacher. Teach me humility and then give me strength to pursue it, only because in doing so I would pursue You! I humbly bow to You!

Last night I watched a program I had recorded from the History Channel. It was titled The Real Story of Christmas or something close to that. Unfortunately the real story of Christmas was discussed for only about one minute, with the rest of the history of Christmas being filled with Santa stories, origins of our Christmas tree, and other traditions. I learned some things I did not know, but though not surprised, I was again disappointed that God with us was of so little importance to the makers of this show.

One of the interesting, yet disturbing, elements of the show involved the influence of a few men in changing the focus of our celebration from Christs birth to a family holiday that is merchandised more than enjoyed.

I am not anti-Santa. I allow him to be in our family celebrations with limits. He is not the central figure, nor is his actions allowed to over shadow the act of love God showed when delivering His Son to our world for our defense against sin. Santa is a believer in Christ in my home, and his good deeds are his worship to God for his own salvation.

I am also not against times of celebrations with family. Anytime is a good time for me to enjoy my family and celebrate Gods' goodness.

My decorated Christmas tree gives me much pleasure. I love the lights and the ornaments that hold wonderful memories of blessings from God.

The difference between my Christmas and the worlds Christmas is Jesus. Christmas comes to me whenever God reveals Himself in a new way. Just as He showed us His love, mercy and grace through Jesus, beginning on that First Noel, He comes to me. I am a simple vessel just like the manger. I am a place for him to be revealed to the world. It is through my good works that Jesus can be high and lifted up.

God of Glory, You once came as a helpless infant and lived a life never grasping for the glory that is rightfully Yours. It is even now, when men, and even I, have pushed Your amazing truth into the back ground, that You humbly make Yourself known as God with us. Forgive me for forgetting You when the world crowds into my thoughts. Thank You for being patient as You wait for me to visit Your humble abode. Shine Your light so that I might see the place Your glory dwells. I humbly bow to You!

Living Water

My favorite woman in the bible is the unnamed woman at the well. (John 4:1-43) I like her not so much for what she did, but because through her story I see Jesus loving a sinner just like me. No, I am not an adulterer, but I have broken the heart of God through my rebellion, selfishness and pride. I believe this woman was sought after by Jesus, and just like her I, too, was sought, found and redeemed!

Jesus humbled Himself when He approached this woman at the well. She was a Samaritan. She was a woman. Jesus in humility asked her for a drink. He had much more to give her than she had to offer, yet without pride He allowed her to do something for Him. She was a sinner and He found value in her life. He looked past her race, religion and sin to bring her what she really needed. Jesus' humility takes my breath away! How many times do I walk past those I think are beneath me? Jesus made Himself needy to this woman. He wanted to lift her up and knew the best way was to humble Himself.

Jesus then revealed Himself to her. He told her He had living water and He would give it to her for free! He then revealed the truth of her need. He did not withhold Himself from her. He gave all He had. Did this woman connect the dots? Did she see that He, being greater than she, made Himself less in order that she could be more? She must have, because in the next few moments she responded.

This unnamed woman tells Jesus she wants His living water and then goes to bring others to experience what she experienced with Jesus. She was lifted up, her thirst was quenched and she brought others to share in what she had found. Her story is one filled with the love of Christ! Her story can be everyone's story!

Living Water, You quench my thirsty soul! You drench me in love and truth! You wash me clean and refresh me. Thank You for being humble, revealing Your truth to me, and filling me with You! I need You!

Humility in the Flesh

My pride surfaced again the other day. Unfortunately, when my pride raises itself up I don't like what I look like! I had to stand in front of a mirror held out to me by my beloved Savior, and see myself through eyes of truth. Not easy.

I am proud of my good name. I am proud of the reputation I hold in the church and community. It is not easy to let someone elses' failures to reflect on me. But that is exactly what has happened. I saw my pride and then I saw what my Savior Jesus did for me! He took my messed up "Reputation" as His own. He took my failures and let them be on Him!

Jesus has told me to love as He loves me. He is humility in flesh. What am I to do? I am to let His thoughts of me be more important that the thoughts of men. I can rejoice more completely in His sacrifice as I take on my sacrifice for the ones I love. It is a hard lesson, but worth the revelation of God in my life!

Lord Jesus, You are Humble and gentle with sinners. I am a sinner. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me and allowing me to partake of Your suffering, even in such a little way!

The Look of Humility

What does Humility look like? Should humble people be recognized by their hang-dog look, always hiding in the crowd?

I can't say with a positive certainty what humility should look like, but I don't think Jesus looked beaten down or blended into the wallpaper. Jesus was bold when the situation called for it. He was a leader of men and did not cower in the face of the leaders who opposed Gods' way. Jesus was humble.

Jesus knew He was God. He deserved worship, and He understood that His mission was of utmost importance for all men and so He did not claim the rights of His true identity. I think that humility lies in that truth: He did not claim the right.

Our human pride has such a hard time letting go of the rights we think we own. Truth also lies in that statement: the rights we think we own! Do we really "Deserve" most of the things we think we do? I dare to say "no." If we give up our rights to be applauded by men, own the things we enjoy, or have our voice heard, would we disappear into the woodwork? There is that possibility but in Gods' economy of life I believe He has stated otherwise in Mathew 20:25-28.

Lord of All, You have set before us a principle You Yourself live by. You have said that the Last will be first and the first last. You have said that if we want to be great we must be a servant of all. This is Your picture of humility and it is Your will for us as Your people. Let me follow You in character above all else.

Humility or Humiliation

What is the difference between humility and humiliation? I have been thinking about this all day and have come to a conclusion.

Humility is a lowering of ourselves. Humiliation is being brought down by others. The interesting thing about humility is that it has power over humiliation. When we choose to lower ourselves it does not matter what humiliation others try to place on us.

Humility is not placing ourselves in a place where we have no value. It simply admits that we are fallible. Humiliation offers no value and is a forced tumble from a proud position.

I am learning to be humble, teachable and honest about my successes and failures. It is not an easy road but the benefits are great! I walk with God when I walk in humility.

In the humble name of our exalted Lord Jesus, I ask You Sovereign God to reveal true humility. disciple me in its ways and change my heart.

Humility

Humility is being stopped by a policeman and admitting I am wrong.

Humility is admitting to a friend that I didn't stick to your exercise plan or keep my promise when I said I would.

Humility is admitting I am selfish to my spouse.

Humility is telling my grandchildren that I still do naughty things.

Humility is knowing when the wise words I say are not my own but are from the Holy Spirits' whispers.

Humility is listening when I want to speak, speaking when I want to remain silent, seeing each job and each person as better than my job and myself, and being sure of whose I am even when I fail.

Humilty is not something in which to be proud, rather it is something to bring to the Father and allow Him to make something beautiful out of it. It is knowing who God is and who I am not.

True humility can only be obtained through the working of God in my life. Funny thing is I want to be humble but I don't want to be humbled!