Humility...

Children have a way of keeping you humble... mine certainly do! They are honest to a fault, and have no qualms about sharing their opinions...

Take the time we were in church- I was singing a hymn with great gusto. One of the children nonchalantly whispered... "Mom, you're trying too hard!" Or the time my youngest child asked about my involvement in a project at his school; he said my name was mentioned in the morning announcements. When I asked if he was proud of me, his response came without hesitation, "No, not really."

As a child, we spent most holidays camping at the beach. My favorite part of our trips was standing on the rock wall of the man-made tidal pool when the tide came in. At high tide, the waves came crashing over the wall, knocking everyone into the pool- it was sink or swim time. And I realized my smallness in relation to the ocean.

Now, I realize my smallness in relation to our great and awesome God who lavishes us with His merciful love! And I understand Paul's words in his first letter to the Corinthians:

For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. (1 Cor 15:9-10)

As we tackle our Lenten works of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, may we do all, by the grace of God, with humility and love.