An accurate assessment of my capabiliies
Humility has a negative connotation to some; is seen as unattainable by others. It is different from humiliation. Humility may be attained through humiliation but I am not sure it is a required step in the process. I really like the quote from Dr. Bob Smith of Akron Ohio:
Another thing with which most of us are not too blessed is the feeling of humility. I don't mean the fake humility of Dickens' Uriah Heep. I don't mean the doormat variety; we are not called upon to be shoved around and stepped on by anyone; we have a right to stand up for our rights. I'm talking about the attitude of each and every one of us toward our Heavenly Father. Christ said, "Of Myself, I am nothing - My strength cometh from My Father in heaven." If He had to say that, how about you and me? Did you say it? Did I say it? No. That's exactly what we didn't say. We were inclined to say instead, "Look me over, boys. Pretty good, huh?" We had no humility, no sense of having received anything through the grace of our Heavenly Father.
I did not choose my parents or the natural talents, if any, I possess. My life is like crossing a
foggy river from stone to stone. I choose which next stone to attempt but I did not place the stones. All I can do is fit myself to be of maximum service to God and the others I encounter. I realize today, that How I am to be used is less of my own choosing than I once supposed. But how Fit I am is a function of How I develop and use God's gifts.
EXAMPLE
I went for my first overnight backpacking trip in the spring of 2006 in the Cohutta Wilderness in north Georgia with my 22 year old son, my best friend and his 18 year old Eagle Scout son. We came to the first of 41 river crossings. The Scout leaped from rock to rock across the 30' wide river with a 50 lb backpack. I remembered hiking the Colorado Rockies at 22 and, at 51 years old, thought as though nothing had changed. First leap went well. Second leap, my foot slipped on a dome shaped boulder. I went parallel to the ground in mid-air and came down on the dome on what I do have now that I did not have then – a soft belly. The ego was bruised but little else. I then followed the dictates of the riddle of the Sphinx: “What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?” The answer is Man. I got a walking stick and sought the softer sandy bottom. Me and my third leg made it the whole trip without another fall.
Humility is an accurate assessment of my capabilities.
Father Joseph Martin said, “The best advice I can give is 'Don't give any advice'.” When someone asks me for advise, I should pause to realize: I really do not know all the millions of variables going on in someone's life. By necessity they are telling me only what they see as important. Even with those closest to me, I know only a little of what they experience and none of what they actually think – just what they say about what they think. What I think they are thinking or feeling is not reality for them. On the other hand, I am the world's expert on one thing – Me. When I relate my experience in similar situations, I am speaking as an expert. Advise for others is only speculation; speculation where I frequently have nothing to lose if they make the wrong choices. Better to share my experience, strength and hope and let them take what is relevant and leave the rest.
So, what you read here is from my experience. I really do not know if it will be as effective for you as it is for me. The process of organizing my random experiences has one great result. It is helping me to fit myself to be a better servant.
