Tag Archives: humility

Good Work

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

My beloved child, you are my creation. Made in my image. When you surrender to me daily, I’m able to use you for My will. And when I do, we both take great delight in the results.

You love to see the fruits of your labor. But be careful not to idolize them. This can be a very subtle sin, when you produce good works for me, and then begin to identify with those good works.

When people praise you with admiration and appreciation, always point them back to me, your Creator. The One who made such works possible. After all, your joy doesn’t come from anything you’ve done or produced. It comes from me alone.

Keep pride at bay and humble yourself before me, so that I may use you how I please. And then we can both delight in the good work that I’m doing in you and through you.

Stand Your Sacred Ground

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration

There is something deeply spiritual about standing your ground; not getting small in order to make other people feel comfortable, or throwing up defenses in order to protect ourselves.

There is something sacred about honoring our truth. When faced with vulnerable situations, I try to remind myself of this: “Don’t shrink. And don’t puff up. Stand your sacred ground.”

The Scene at the Stream

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Quotes

The other day, I sat quietly by a stream watching the water flow, birds taking dips, and tiny fish swimming together. The beauty of it all was breathtaking. Nothing about the scene at the stream was rushed, forced, or controlled. It just was.

streamIf God can make this tiny stream and the life surrounding it flow so effortlessly while simultaneously pointing back to His own beauty and perfection, can’t I assume He is doing the same in my own life?

That’s when it occurred to me.

If we could truly grasp God’s love for us, all of our prayers would be praise.

An Apology Letter

Posted on by under Personal Life Reflections

My dear,

I was upset because I didn’t get what I wanted- which was your love and affection. But I had no right to get mad at you for not giving me that. You have given me so much love and so much affection, so often, that I think I just got dangerously used to it, almost dependent on it, on you.

That’s a heavy load to carry and I want to apologize.

I don’t want you to feel like you’re responsible for my happiness or unhappiness. You certainly bring me a lot of happiness but you’re not the source of it and I’m sorry I was acting like that.

Love,

Me

The person you love is not the source but they’re the tool and God is going to use them to bring gifts to you. Look at people in this way and your relationships will change.

Arguments

Posted on by under Relationships & Love, Thought for the Day

In an argument, have patience.

Imagine if someone were to come at you with their fists doubled, surely you would double your own just as fast.

But now, imagine someone comes to you asking to sit together, hoping to understand your point of view and exactly why yours differ. In this instance, you may find that you are not so far apart after all…that the points on which you differ are few and the points on which you agree are many.

In arguments, if only we can possess patience, and a desire to get together, we will get together.

What We Can Learn from the Rivers and Seas

Posted on by under Relationships & Love, Thought for the Day

If you wish to be above men, put yourself below them. If you wish to be before men, put yourself behind them.

This way, although you are above them, they will not feel your weight. And although you are before them, they will not count it as an injury.

This is how the rivers and seas are able to reign over all the mountain streams.

A Letter to Young Ben Franklin From Which We Can All Learn

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration

Benjamin_Franklin_1759

In his youth, Benjamin Franklin received a letter from one of his friends rebuking his opinionated nature. The letter is included here because I believe we can all learn from it.

“Ben, you are impossible. Your opinions have a slap in them for everyone who differs with you. They have become so offensive that nobody cares for them. Your friends find they enjoy themselves better when you are not around. You know so much that no man can tell you anything. Indeed, no man is going to try, for the effort would lead only to discomfort and hard work. So you are not likely ever to know any more than you do now, which is very little.”

What a great friend this man was! He told the truth. And Ben listened…and went on to become one of the greatest Diplomats in American history.

What can we learn from this letter?

Often, it is best to choose being nice, over being right. Forcing your opinion down another person’s throat never works. And know it alls tend to lose it all before they know it.

Don’t Look Down On Others

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration, Thought for the Day

hand-reaching-out

The only time we should look down on another person is when we are reaching out our hand to lift them up.

 

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration

‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves’ (Philippians 2:3). Because ‘His power is perfected in weakness’ ‘ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Because ‘Those who humble themselves will be exalted’ (Matthew 23:12).

Humility

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration, Thought for the Day

Humility is remaining in the flow of giving and receiving, understanding that neither is inherently better than the other and that in fact, they must both co exist, side by side.