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.

Grace & Such strives to advance Christian growth among women. While we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we also recognize human interpretations are imperfect. Grace & Such encourages our readers to open their Bibles, pray for wisdom and study for themselves what the Word says. For more about who we are, please visit the About Us page.
Diane Tarantini
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10 Comments

  1. Jen on January 30, 2017 at 9:52 AM

    I love the idea of your church. It’s so… first century. 🙂

    • Diane on January 30, 2017 at 3:05 PM

      Yep. That was the plan, Jen:)

      • Jen on January 30, 2017 at 3:19 PM

        As I suspected. 🙂

  2. Diane Karchner on January 30, 2017 at 4:59 PM

    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!

  3. Cole on January 30, 2017 at 5:00 PM

    Great thoughts, Diane. humble hearts are free hearts ?

  4. Richelle Allen on January 30, 2017 at 8:47 PM

    Much food for thought here Diane. Humility is such s foreign concept now.

  5. Gretchen Hanna on January 30, 2017 at 11:18 PM

    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.

  6. Barbie on January 31, 2017 at 1:29 PM

    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!

  7. Barbie on January 31, 2017 at 1:30 PM

    And somehow “I love you!!” became “I like be you!!” ??

    • Diane on January 31, 2017 at 1:39 PM

      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!

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