A Prayer for Humility

2.21.2007

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ~Philippians 2:3


As a newly married woman and instant step-mother (though we don't use that word at our house) to two children, I soon learned that prayer was my friend. I hadn't prayed much before I got married. Not in a focused kind of way at least. I didn't do it intentionally and I didn't do it often. If I did do it, I was usually asking for something. And that "something" probably wasn't very important.

But I pray now. I pray a lot. Intentionally and often. And I have found the glory in praying for others. Often those "others" are people I would have considered my enemies when I was living the paragraph above. I pray for my husband's ex-wife and I pray for guidance in dealing with her. I pray for people in Sunday School whom we've reached out to in many ways, and who now do not even speak to us on Sunday morning. I pray for help in honoring and loving my husband, and for wisdom in raising my sweet baby boy.

In the past few weeks, that sweet baby boy has begun saying "Me, me!" when he wants something. He wants often and he wants urgently. While driving home from daycare one day last week.... "me, me!" being chanted from the back seat... I began to ponder humility and its place both in and for my life.

I realize that, for a 14 month old, it is all about "me". However, I deal on a daily basis with someone much, much older who is very narcissistic. She sends flowers and the next day wonders (aloud....to all who will listen) why the person hasn't called to thank her. Honestly it wears me down after awhile. I hope that I am not like that.

So thus began my prayers for humility. I pray that part of my son's place in the world will be shining his light on others so that he will himself find joy. I pray that I do not turn the spotlight on myself so that I can seem smarter, better or more qualified than another. I pray for God's loving hands to guide me on a path that is helpful to someone other than myself, though it may not always be the easiest path. And I pray that when I do help others that the only person that needs to know about it is God, in his own way.

Our world is a world of immediate gratification... personal, material and at all costs. It is about excess, who's best, me first. Our children are made to compete in ways they should not, by people who do not know the real meaning of competition.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
~Proverbs 11:2

Until next time,

2 comments:

2nd Cup of Coffee :

Well, this is my first time here, and I am commenting! I read your comment at Antique Mommy about people not commenting, I must confess. You have a beautiful blog, a beautiful child, and a fresh voice--someone who's working outside the home as well as inside. Keep up the good work!

Anne :

Find the song by Cindy Morgan titled, Who could Ask for Anything More and grab the tissues. It fits your blog to a tee. I want to have it played at my funeral. No, I am not kidding. Great writing.

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