Humility Pie
My church is untraditional in several ways. For now, we meet in the back of a thrift store which means on any given Sunday, you can get God and maybe find the bunk beds you need for your kids too. At City Church in Morgantown, West Virginia, there is no paid staff, no one, he’s the boss, pastor. We all share the tasks of nursery duty, our one-room Sunday school, counting the offering, and teaching. My favorite part though, is the fact that we give to people in need 75% of what comes in weekly via the “Tube of Giving.” That’s the benefit of no mortgage or salaries to pay.
Today, a handsome young endodontist spoke with us regarding Exodus 18. He told us how up until that point, the book of Exodus revealed what God had done for his people. Moving forward, Exodus would reveal God through his people. Is God revealed through me? I wondered. The idea was both exciting and terrifying.
Focusing on the character of Moses, Spencer the endodontist pointed us to Numbers 12:3:
Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.
“Humility is not a low view of yourself,” Spencer said. “In fact, humility is not about you at all. Humility is putting others first. Humility is God’s love language.”
The more I heard of humility, the more I squirmed in my seat. There is one relationship in particular where I lack humility—my interaction with my mother. The truth is, she and I have never really gotten along, partly because I feel she failed me during my childhood. And now, I’m failing her. At 84, she’s not well, on multiple levels. Listening is what she needs most but an argument is usually what I end up giving her.
She didn’t call today which is a relief. Some days she’ll call ten times, not that I answer each time the phone rings. But tomorrow when she calls, and on Tuesday when I take her to the doctor, thanks to Spencer and Moses (and the Holy Spirit), I’m going to try my best to reveal God to Mom through my words and actions.
- Breaking Up (with a friend) is Hard to Do - August 29, 2018
- Prescription for Peace - June 20, 2018
- Fast Dogs - March 7, 2018
I love the idea of your church. It’s so… first century. 🙂
Yep. That was the plan, Jen:)
As I suspected. 🙂
Wow, what an interesting concept of church..I mean community!! And that thing with your mom – exactly what I had as well, but really taking the steps you are taking may actually affect your faith as much, if not more, than hers. At least that’s what happened for me…i”ll be praying for you!
Great thoughts, Diane. humble hearts are free hearts ?
Much food for thought here Diane. Humility is such s foreign concept now.
Dear God, let me have the humility to be the mom I would have longed to have, while continuing to be grateful for my own, who did the best she could. Thank you, Diane, for this reminder that to love and lead, we must first serve. Humility is God’s love language, indeed.
I see humility in you, my friend. I believe you have served your mother well in spite of your circumstances. May Jesus continue to groom humility in and through you as you face loving a very difficult person. I like be you!! And might I add, your photo makes me want homemade apple pie!
And somehow “I love you!!” became “I like be you!!” ??
Thanks, Spiritual Mommy Barbie! Thank the good Lord I have you (with your own Mom elder-care experience) to consult and ask prayer from when the going gets exceeding rough!