Friday, February 15, 2008

Always a mess in the process



I am stepping out. Fleeing isolation and running to community. We all need the accountability and balance that our brothers and sisters in Christ give us. Isolation can breed destruction and self-deception. Community lends itself to balanced self-appraisal (Rom. 12:3).

I had to deal with a troublesome, reoccurring, family issue today that really stretched me and honestly stressed me. I have so much pride and I am not sure whether it is false pride or just good old-fashioned nasty pride. I know the things that I have done and I became increasingly and uncomfortably aware that I was being prideful in the situation that God had graciously allowed me to be in. There was a reason for this. I was getting in the way again. He leads, He is teaching me, He directs and He prompts me. The reason I share this....God lovingly and graciously allowed me to see this and fall on my face, and then He gently reminded me...that I dare not own what He does through me.



An article by Fr. Jack McArdle

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31


A stretch-limo pulled up in front of a retirement home one day, and a young man, full of his own importance, stepped out of it and began walking towards the entrance. It was a beautiful sunny day and many of the old folks were sitting out front, complete with straw hats and sunglasses.

The visitor was a famous pop-star and he was used to commotion and excitement wherever he went. On this occasion, however, nobody seemed to notice him, or to pay any heed to him. Bewildered—and affronted—by the singular lack of response, he finally stood in front of one old lady and said: "Do you know who I am?"

She didn't even lift her head as she replied, "No, but if you go in to the girl at the Reception, she should be able to tell you!"



Whatever we are and whatever we become is because of God's grace and blessings in our lives. Do you acknowledge this, or do you believe that it is solely your efforts that has made you who and what you are?