Would You Like a Slice of My Humble Pie?

So, if you follow my posts, you probably saw me dressed up in an elf’s costume for the recent ginormous “Happy Birthday, Jesus” Party for the homeless and impoverished at the Dallas Convention Center. That costume was once a Peter Pan costume that I made for my University of Manitoba Halloween office party 25-years ago. It’s been a keepsake for sure and I’ve worn it a couple more times for Fall Harvest parties. I added the red fabric this year to make it appear elf-ish and to add a little length to the shorter version!

Rewind to that early morning at 4:45 am when I arrived at my children’s home to ride with them to the Convention Center. Their VIP parking passes meant they could park right outside the door of the arena, so it was worth it to take the early morning ride! Arriving at their home, Denise had her famous, yummy breakfast burritos made. But, alas, when I took the first bite, the juices of the burrito made their way to the front of my costume – three splotches! YIKES! I proceeded to remove them with a damp cloth then used their blazing hot hair dryer to dry the spots. Little did I realize I was holding the hair dryer on the polyester fabric and burned three holes into my beloved Peter Pan aka elf costume. Immediately James 4:10 resounded in my ears:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Staci’s red sweater went great with the costume, and I continued to hear God’s voice loud and clear.

You know what – not one time did I think about those holes while I was with the homeless people. I only got smiles and compliments from them, especially as I was loving on them and keeping them patient as they made their way through crazy long lines. I was humbled and I was lifted up by God’s children.

So, I’m getting the message, and I think I’m eating some “Humble Pie” because I never want what I do, and why I do it, to bring praise to myself, but to THE ONE who deserves ALL PRAISE. Seriously, when I think about how unlikely that I would be so blessed to be passionate and relentless about spreading the Good News, I MUST raise my hand and point to THE ONE Who is worthy of ALL PRAISE!

I know that when I purposely live in an attitude of humility, it will be HIS bright Light shining through me, and NOT my own. And, oh, that’s what I want. I don’t ever want to get in His way.
1 Peter 5:5-7 says “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

The simple discovery of humility and servitude is where some of my greatest joys have been found. Applause isn’t the reward. The reward is being able to serve, and seeing others have “aha” moments when they see HIM instead of me. It’s HIS LIGHT I want them to see in me.

Okay, I’ve confessed, and now I’ve finished my “Humble Pie”. I think I’ll avoid that dessert from now on, and I’ll keep my eyes and heart open, in case it looks like God needs to offer me another slice!