The rain is pouring down heavy today. It has been that way since dawn, and to be honest all i feel like doing is skipping in it!
No - i didn't do that.
Instead, I carried myself around respectfully, with my black umbrella to shield myself from the temptation to run a muck.
And each time I've run into someone today, i feel like saying: "Hello... I got into xxx graduate school and i'm pretty sure that is where i want to go!"
To say i'm excited is an understatement. I want to run and skip in the rain and yell for the whole world to hear... which is weird because I felt the exact opposite way when i started getting interview invites from schools.
And then there is my fundamental question of: "Is my feeling this way pride, showing off or genuine appreciation?" Yes... i will reflect on that later... for now, i'm just too pleased... ooo and what's even better is that things are looking up for people around me. My friends are getting their break throughs as well... even those who are still waiting... I have no doubt that theirs will come soon as well! So there is even double cause to yell and run in the pouring rain!!!
SO here is where I caution myself to practice humility - the definition of humility is not to feel ashamed of where i am, or down play it, but rather to give gratitude to the originator of that good thing. The Psalmist, David, said it perfectly in Psalm 18 (It is a pretty long psalm, but in summary this is David talking about the victories of war that he won all BECAUSE God granted him the strength to do so... He boasts in the Lord is what i see it as... no i can't say i can do that safely without it being pride, but these are my favorite verses):
Verses 30 - 36:
30 As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
p.s. my psalm would probably read something alongst the line of my life situations and not war victories... but you get the gist :)
And so I say, I praise God Almighty who has granted me favor upon favor beyond my wildest dreams - I used to be a girl who sold medicine in her parents' pharmacy... I never knew HE had plans as such... and so in response to the question my friend M asked me: "Aren't you excited to see where HE is leading you?" And i say - "YES, I am very excited to see where HE is leading me!!!"
Photo Credit - http://seacat.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/runinrain.jpg (Google Image)
loved the psalm, and i can feel ur excitement from here, God is indeed great
ReplyDeletePraise the LORD, my soul;
ReplyDeletewho crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
I pray to be able to share the same excitement soonish. Happy for you.
I once heard a story of a man whose name was announced from the pulpit (to praise him for something he'd done), and when he was asked to stand up to be recognized, he didn't answer...he just sat there. A few who knew who he was waited and waited, but he sat on...not responding to the call.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson is that he thought he was being humble, but he was actually being PRIDEFUL. Humility, like you said, is NOT downplaying it...but giving glory to the One who made it possible :)
CONGRATULATIONS, Mwajim :)
He is :D Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWOW that is interesting to read... Christopher Heuretz's 'Simple Spirituality' is what opened my eyes to that perspective on humility. And thanks :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers ooo and Amen and Amen to that! And yes, by God's grace you soon will :D
ReplyDeletekeep boasting in the goodness of God jare, that's one sanctioned boast
ReplyDelete