Happy Lent! We are dust and to dust we shall return! If only my ego realized that I am dust and that God is the wonder-maker. God, in His goodness, has given me some opportunities to practice humility. It is so hard and very challenging. For example, I'm taking Elementary Hebrew at Wayne State University. There are five people in my class, and frankly, I am the worst at Hebrew. At least two of my classmates are close to fluent in Hebrew and the others have been introduced to Hebrew with their Jewish background. During class, I struggle like crazy! And I'm embarrassed that I struggle. I feel humiliated that my classmates are speaking Hebrew like pros, and that when it is my turn, I can't form a sentence. Now, it makes sense that I am "behind" in learning the language, and I could give a whole list of other excuses as to why that class is so hard. But, what I am focusing on, is humility. God is giving me the opportunity to accept my situation with a smile. Every Hebrew class, when I mess up or am incorrect, or feel embarrassed, I give it to my Creator. It is He who gives and He who takes away. Praise God that he has given me such a challenge. If Hebrew was not a humiliating challenge, my ego would be crazy high. So, during this winter semester, I get to practice the virtue of humility. Not beating myself up that I'm not fluent in Hebrew. Not jealously wishing I was at the same level as my peers. But accepting where I am at. Another example is for work this summer. I am working for my dad's business, Mosquito Joe. To be a technician, I need to pass two exams. I took both exams last week and I failed. I get to retake them next week, but I just felt so humiliated and frustrated that I did not succeed. I thought I was prepared and studied well. All of these other people pass their exams on the first try. Why couldn't I? This is another opportunity for me to embrace humility. Not to go into despair or beat myself up, but to accept that I failed and remind myself I am not God. I am fully human and humans aren't great at every single thing. Are you learning something new at work? Do those around you seem to be "smarter" or "better" than you at a task? Are you going through a challenge? Are you embarrassed about something you did or said? Use it as an opportunity to go from humiliation, despair, and discouragement to be humble, happy during trials, and to be totally dependent on God. Shalom!
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AuthorJacqueline St. Clare: I spent six months in a cloistered convent, and now I'm a college student! Archives
April 2021
SpiritualityVocationMental ILlnessSeasonalADVENT LENT
Unexpected Church MembersAll words that are underlined can be found on the "Glossary" page
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