Monday, May 10, 2010

Out of Humiliation

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~~Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

I never knew hard work until I became a mother. It's the one job that never has time off.

Sometimes the emotional turmoil of my role as a mom attempts to take a toil at me. The demands place on one person at times can be overwhelming.

The dynamics in our household do not always allow for our family to be together, even on holidays. Yesterday's Mother's Day was one of those days. I woke up, prepared to go to church. But as I'm driving off by myself, I pulled over because the tears filled my eyes.

How can I walk into church alone on Mother's Day. Everyone greeting mothers with "Happy Mother's Day." I didn’t feel happy and I couldn’t go on, pretending.

I called a friend who shared with me her perspective on the situation. I thank God she didn’t coddle me. She told me straight out from her own experience that sometimes expectations are set up are from selfish desires.

Ouch. The truth hit me smack dab in the face.

Now slapped with the truth, some sense had been knocked into my selfish brain. I started thanking God that I have a healthy family. It no longer mattered if they were with me at church because I thanked God I have a family.

Already late for my church, I decided to drive to a nearby church that I wanted to visit but had not had the opportunity. Yesterday's guest speaker was Jim Caviezel, the actor who portrayed Jesus in The Passion of Christ.

Caviezel shared a statement that stood out to me, "Out of humiliation comes humility and that's where God wants us--to be humble."

Out of my perceived humiliation, I let go of the false expectations of my family serving me on Mother's Day. I chose to serve them and it made me glad to do so.

5 gracious comments:

annette said...

from another who went to church alone yesterday, I feel your pain. I know the very design of motherhood (and parenthood) if we've done our job right is for planned obsolescence. My youngest and her husband made it over later, and that was wonderful. Your reminder hits home with me. Not to let my own desires outweigh His Plan in my heart! By the way, the verse was one of my memory verses last year. Guess I didn't get it planted quite like I thought. Happy Mother's Day, Shonda! You have done a wonderful job. Love, Annette

Cherdecor said...

I am sorry that I didn't get here before Mother's Day to wish you a happy one, but I know one thing, you are a blessed mother. You have a done a great job with your family. Be blessed,
Hugs,
Cheryl

Shonda said...

Oh thank you my friends. I am blessed beyond measure. I had to change my perspective yesterday.

You two women bless me and I know you're both wonderful mothers!

Leah Adams said...

Happy Mother's Day late!! I'm sorry I haven't stopped by in a while. I've been nose to the computer trying to finish the manuscript for the Bible study I am writing. Gotta get it off to the publisher this month. Just when I think it is almost through, I find something else that needs to be tweaked.

anyhoo, just stopped by to say Hi!!

Leah

Lavonda Pflug said...

I didn't get to be with my kids on Mother's Day either. But like you, I was thankful that I have been able to enjoy the gift of children. I was thankful I had the opportunity to go to church at all. And I'm thankful all my children will be with me in eternity, even though we can't always be together here.
Perspective is everything. Thanks for sharing your heart with your readers. It's nice to know we are not alone. :)