@humility | itsawonderfilledlife

Posts Tagged ‘@humility’

The Struggles to Success

Posted in christmas, GOD, WONDER, tagged #humbleking, #risebydescending, #studentswithspecialneeds, #thestrugglestosuccess, @humility on December 15, 2016| Leave a Comment »

humility

The past week has highlighted for me that I am so very blessed by the workplace community that I am part of, the people who I share the work with and the students who I am paid to assist.

The students I work with, work SO hard! Classes are SO challenging! Finding and maintaining friendships can be a daily struggle.

Earlier this week I was humbled by a student who I rarely get to work with. This student has struggles, for certain, but also great strengths. This year, I have felt like I needed to get to know this teen better. So I aimed to be intentional to say hi, inquire about their weekend, ask about things of interest. Then, the other day, I received a gift from them. I was speechless (a rarity, for sure). A small gift, roughly wrapped by the hands that offered it to me. It was those hands that offered a gift to me, that melted my heart, for I felt as though I needed to be the giver, not the receiver.

Then a student who exhibited great strength and the fortitude to do what was difficult, to be the bigger person, offering well wishes to someone who caused her sadness. As I watched the the humble act, I watched this student grow in years of maturity, right in front of me. This student, with special needs, initiated reconciliation and redemption of relationship right in front of my face … and I wondered if I would humble myself in such a way.

These students are laying the foundation well, for a great tower!

As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are celebrating the birth of the humble king, the ultimate humility. Born as a human baby, grew up in a family of humble means, then he humbled himself to the point of death.

“being found in human form, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him
the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:8-11

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A Humbling Mess

Posted in WONDER, tagged #baddogowner, #doggrooming, @humility on December 13, 2016| Leave a Comment »

“Your dog is a soft coated Wheaten terrier, he should be soft. Make sure he is getting brushed regularly. I don’t want to see knots in 6-8 weeks.”

This was my introduction to taking my Wonderdog to be groomed for the first time. That lady made my pooch beautiful (in a masculine, canine sort of way), but she also struck fear into my soul!

I walked out to the sidewalk determined to be the best dog-brushing pet owner who ever lived.

That was over four months ago …

For well over a month I have been delaying taking the WonderDog to the groomer, knowing that I would get a talking to. I have failed as pet owner of the year. My fur friend has knots and they are too far gone for a brush.

I did consider booking the appointment for a day when hubby is off, so that he could take the dog for his spa treatments (and receive the groomers failing assessment of our pet grooming).

Then I thought that maybe I could fix him up and then take him (kind of like hiding in the bushes in the garden of Eden). I went to YouTube and learned how to gently cut the fur ball off … he now has a bald spot. So then I went tot the pet store and purchased clippers. Again I watched YouTube videos to ensure I would be grooming like the pros … his fur looks like a patchwork quilt.

So, I have given up my DIY grooming (I am now convinced that Youtube videos are equal to the ‘easy’ DIY projects on Pinterest). Just a few hours after this blog post is published I will be making the phone call I have put off for far too long. I will, humbly, tell my tale of dog-owner failure, and ask for forgiveness (along with a shampoo, blow dry and detangling brushing).

I do not know what the groomer’s response will be, but it is time to admit that I am simply not able to cover this up anymore.

As I pondered my surrender the other day, I thought about the origin and purpose of Christmas.

Christ, the very son of God, was born a human, to pay a debt he didn’t owe, for sin only he could atone for. He was the spotless, perfect lamb.

Prior to the birth of Christ, the only way for sins to be paid for was the shedding of, usually, a lamb. But that sacrifice had to made for every sin. The birth, then death of Jesus was the once for all payment for the sins of humanity.

To benefit from this beautiful gift, all that we need to do is admit our sin, and ask for his life-giving redemption. It is there, always in reach, but we must receive what has been offered.

So often, like my hesitancy in calling my groomer, shame keeps us from that which would only improve our existence.

We all need to admit that we simply cannot cover our sin up anymore.

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