Tag Archives: Quotes

Pride or Humility

I have been thinking about the reasons that I blog. I am not consistent in writing.  I have not set any goals or any particular topic to write about.   I even wonder if the things I write about are really worth reading.  I have been told the things I write might be thought of as depressing.  (Yikes!!! I did not see myself as depressed.)  Anyway, I wonder if I have a story to tell or worthwhile thoughts to share…..

I used to think my self-doubt and insecurity about writing were signs of my profound humility. It felt noble and heroic to be this full of agonizing self-doubt…….

But that’s the thing about pride. It hides itself.

The more I go on, the more I realize, it’s entirely the other way round. Our self-doubt and insecurity don’t reveal our humility; they mask our pride.

When you’re doubting whether you can do it, whether you’re a good writer, you’re looking to yourself, what you can do, what resources you have. You’re focused entirely inwardly, on yourself.

It’s pride because it means you think it’s all about you.

But if you realize it’s not about you — that whatever you have is a gift from God — if, in other words, you get out of the way — then you can be fearless. There is no vision too great, nothing too outrageous to dream, nothing too impossible to dare.

If you believe, as Madeleine L’Engle believed, that your writing is not so much about control as it is about trust, you will be bolder, braver, more able to take risks — and your writing will become more like faith.

It’s no longer about you and what you can do. You do the hard work of writing, you practice your craft, you show up. But you become servant to the story. And the story is cleverer and bigger than you are. Your job is to get out of the way and let the story through.   Sally Lloyd-Jones

My job is to “get out of the way”…..Keep on trying and keep on blogging.

How Do Others Experience Me?

The other day my dear sweet husband asked me to move my daughter’s car.  I will admit that I was a little irritated….I was in the middle of drinking my morning coffee and reading the newspaper.  As I was getting into my daughter’s car, he asked me if I was mad at him.  (I was not really mad….just irritated that I had to leave my morning coffee and paper.)  So, I said, “No, why do you ask?”  Well, his response is that I looked mad.

I hate to think that I wear my emotions and thoughts so easily on my face.  I do not want to be thought of as a grouchy, irritated, mad person.

This morning I came across this prayer.

  Lord Jesus, as someone chosen in you before the world began, holy in you, and dearly loved by you, help me stay aware of how others experience me. Convict me when I come across as a minefield of irritability, a self-righteous porcupine, or a rigid control-meister. I don’t want to be the kind of person who makes others feel the need to tiptoe around or avoid me. Through the resources of the gospel, help me to see, own, and deal with the ways I love poorly. Scotty Smith

Much to think upon today…….