Ever Striving

Elmer Fudd - Shhh, he's hunting wabbits 

Am I the only one who grew up thinking that you shouldn't talk about the good things God was doing through you? Like, if you did, you'd be struck down for being prideful and boastful? For my part, I'm sure it came from obsessively focusing on Matthew 6:3 and perhaps a little WASPy angst. True humility meant keeping "good deeds" vewy, vewy quiet.

Keeping it real here. I've not been good (sometimes I loathe the word "good") at maintaining a prayer life in the last few years. There's not much to pray when you don't know if you believe. Only in the past year or so have I begun to pray again with any regularity. (Totally got a system that works for me now too. Hope to share that in another post. It's ultra simple. Like preschool simple.) I say all of this to say: One prayer I have been praying is for God to show me what it means to be humble. Strip me, mold me, do what YOU need to do, because I'm convinced more than ever that joy lies in turning my eyes toward Christ.

So, I go about my life expecting to be struck down with a major infirmity or some family/financial crisis. Goodness knows I've been shown humility, whether I wanted it or not, through those very means. You want to know one of the ways I know there's a God? He answers prayer in the most elegant, jaw-dropping, genius, and ironic ways imaginable. I couldn't possibly make the stuff up. I'm not that creative.

Enter the homeless ministry at my church. I've begun working with two humble people who are compassionate, dedicated advocates of those in need. When they serve, they constantly praise God in their unique ways. They boldly ask for donations for the homeless, post pictures on Facebook of the people who are being served, and proclaim all the good that is being done in the name of God. Their spirit is infectious and all I know is that I want to jump in.

Now, how would I even know what God was doing through them if they had not been bold in telling others about it? More spiritual types might get holy telepathic waves, but I do not -- I have to read, hear, or see it. And how could I even possibly want to help them if it was all kept "quiet"? It occurred to me: You can be humble and vocal. They're not mutually exclusive. I believe my left hand knew what my right hand was doing far more when I thought I should be mute than when I promoted God's work.  I was "modest" when really what I was doing was thinking my actions merited modesty. But when I promote the God's love and His work, I don't figure in as much. The Apostle Paul and Mother Teresa knew that well.

I've begun to talk more openly about this new work with the homeless God's beloved creation. It's a little awkward, but I'm getting more used to it. I've talked about it with my running buddies, my neighbors, my friends, my social networks, etc. I'm even blogging about it. :-) Guess what? People want to make donations, ask how they can help, and say they're praying for the homeless in downtown Austin.

To God be the glory.

Perfect humility dispenses with modesty.  ~ C.S. Lewis

Grateful Mondays

5 things I'm grateful for today:

1.) My new bright pink birthday running kicks. Love. Them. 

2.) All things pumpkin.

3.) Another year of life and more time to grow. 

4.) Twitter. 

5.) The pure-hearted people I work with in the homeless ministry. (Rebecca and Steve, I'm talkin' bout you.:)) 

Did you know that the practice of gratitude makes you happier and healthier? It's by design. What are you grateful for today?

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. ~ Psalm 107:1