As I worked on my lesson this morning for our class, it was about pride. Now, I have taught this class several times; I have done this workbook on my own a few times. I don't recall ever being convicted of pride in this one area. No, I'm not going to share what it is (and I'm not being prideful about it) because it is something personal. But as I thought about it this morning, I realize what I have been doing is wrong. Yes, I admit it. I have faults. I do things wrong. More often than I really want to admit it. I need to do what God has called me to do.
Perhaps He was also revealing it somewhat in a silly dream I had this morning as my alarm kept buzzing on my wrist and I kept turning it off unconsciously - or semi-consciously. It was a silly dream, in my opinion, and I have no idea where it came from. I am assuming we all have these silly dreams from time to time, come out of nowhere and make no sense at all. Do you really want to hear what that dream was? Go ahead, roll your eyes. I did. In the dream, I was still in bed, hubby was up. My youngest son was about 7 or 8 years old. My oldest is a few years older than he is. He was dressed up as a tooth fairy. Don't laugh. Seriously!! He had on a big white tooth costume made of the material these blow up dinosaurs have. My daughter had on a toothbrush costume. I have no idea what that dream as all about and I'm sure I didn't eat anything last night to give me such a dream. But they had come in to the bedroom and hubby had knelt by the bed and we both were watching them. That's it. That's the dream. I told you it was silly. Lucky you, oldest son, that you weren't in it. No costume for you! haha
I had a fairly quiet evening last night. Hubby went to his Bible study. I went to the great-granddaughter's soccer practice. Afterwards I came home and watched one of my favorite chick-flick movies and finished up a baby blanket to donate. By the time hubby came home, I was listening to an audible book and just being still. My silence was broken as I heard about all that was discussed. But I did have a bit of time to myself and it was good.
Yesterday was busy with work. I did attend the other nutrition class and it also was interesting. I got the contract finished that I was requested to type. My eyes were burning after that one. I had emailed the contract to my personal email so that I could print it out rather than flipping screens. The print was so small (you know how contracts are!) and staring at it then going to a computer screen really hurt my eyes. They were actually red by the end of the day.
I think I told you about dropping my clip on sunglasses a couple weeks ago and getting them back, only one side had been stepped on. I finally got my act together after work and drove to where I had gotten them from and asked if they would be able to fix them. I was afraid to have someone try to bend that metal back for I was afraid it would snap. It took them about 20 minutes, but they fixed them good enough that I can use them on my glasses as before. AND, there was no charge! That was the best part. I asked out of curiosity how much a new pair would cost - and she said "don't quote me, but probably about $150". Guess I need to take better care of these.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV): And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
I think we all have thought or spoken those words either in our mind or out loud at some point in our life. I know I have. Whenever things are going tough, we look for the good in them. Financial issues? Well, maybe one shouldn't recklessly spend money without counting the cost. Tummy got you upset? What did you over eat or over drink that you should have stopped when you felt that nudge to stop? (I get this one - sometimes it is so good we just can't stop!) Arguing and conflict in relationships? Does it really matter whose fault it is? Sometimes we need to overlook the fault and still love the person and let our forgiveness influence them. (Sometimes they need to be 'told' (nicely) that what they did was wrong. Sometimes they don't realize it.) I could go on and on how we rationalize that 'all things work together for good' when things are revealed to us.
I could even say that my lesson this morning that identified pride in my life is working all things together for good. I love God. I am called according to His purpose. I know that He has shown me what I must do (not do if I feel like it, but do it because He tells me I need to) to release the pride I've been holding on to of being 'right and justified' in what I do. I think it is also called 'eating humble pie'. Oh man, I do not like that at all! Humble pie isn't real good when it's made, but once you are past that first bite, it is the sweetest and best you ever had.
Maybe you need to look at your life and attitudes. Where is it that you are being prideful. No, don't just call it being stubborn. We are NOT always right, even though we may think we are. Just because someone did something that we didn't like and we hold it against them does not make us right. It makes us unforgiving and stubborn and prideful in our own righteousness. How do I know this? Because I'm dealing with it. And, God has convicted me of it. Now it's up to me to eat that first bite of humble pie and make it right. I need to let it go. Why? Because it sets me free. If there is another person involved, it probably never entered their mind there was an issue. We are the ones holding ourselves in bondage. Isn't it time to let it all go and let go of our pride? Ouch. This is going to hurt. Pray for me to take the first bite, as I pray for you.
Blessings!
