Now Serving! How Humble Pie Helps Us Practice Humility
Seasons of Thanksgiving
What’s your favorite part of the Thanksgiving holiday season?
Gathering together with family?
Indulging in delicious food?
Cheering on your favorite football team?
Drifting off into a post-meal, turkey-induced tryptophan coma?
I enjoy all of those, too. 😉
But I particularly enjoy pie. While I know pie can be served year-round, my boys are NOT fans of pie crust. (Crustless quiche all the way at Chez Bennett.)
But come Thanksgiving time, we visit family back home in Alabama. And on the dessert menu, there is always an assortment of pies. Pumpkin, apple, and pecan usually with vanilla ice cream or maple-infused whipped cream to go along with it.
Total transparency? I usually have a small slice of each. (Zero guilt. Zero shame. It’s once a year.)
While all are equally tasty, satisfying sugar cravings quite nicely, there is another form of pie I endeavor to serve myself not just at Thanksgiving but all year long.
This sort of pie is one even my boys will eat.
Even better? No cooking or washing dishes are required!
I am talking about Humble Pie.
Now Serving
When most of us think of eating humble pie, we think of it as being served to us.
And not in a good way.
We confuse conviction with condemnation. Our brains are filled with guilt and shame floods our hearts.
Don’t let the enemy confuse or distract you. This is not what our Redeemer intended.
If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 12:47
Practicing Humility
hu*mil*i*ty /noun/
the state of being humble
www.merriam-webster.com
What does it mean to practice humility as a Christian?
In the simplest terms, it means remembering that all that we do, our actions, our words, our thoughts, our deeds, and our accomplishments, has absolutely nothing to do with us.
It’s not for show, for likes, or for acceptance into some elite club. (Well, the club is pretty elite but you don’t need to pay at the door. Your debt has been paid and you are covered by the blood. All you need do is receive it.)
In truth, it isn’t about us.
At the heart of service, lies the heart of Jesus.
Our Savior was first a servant.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
We all like strokes.
We all like to be appreciated.
We all want to receive recognition for a job well done.
I am a helper at heart. I have devoted a monthly blog post segment and podcast series to the topic of helping others, The Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight.
While my desire is to encourage others to grow their servants’ hearts, I, too have to remind myself of the true focus of my efforts.
To fulfill the Great Commission.
It’s not about me. It never was. It’s all about Him.
Practice Makes Progress
Practicing humility is no different than practicing anything else we want to do well. In serving others, whether it is within the walls of my home or in the community, I endeavor to remember whose I am to help guide my why when I serve.
What guides my humility practice?
Spending time with the Lord.
Reading my Bible, attending worship, fasting, and prayer. I actively pursue a relationship with God on a daily basis whether I have only a few minutes, an hour, or merely chunks of time scattered throughout my day.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
One of the favored prayers in our homeschool to help us practice humility is as follows:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to learn about you and with you in our home. Father God, guide our thoughts, our actions, our words, and our deeds so that all we do goes to glorify and honor you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
IOH Mom Kimberly, Homeschool Morning Prayer
When people meet me, I want them to see Jesus. I want them to feel accepted just as they are, right where they are. I want them to let go of their past and be washed clean. I want them to pull up a chair, have a seat at the table, and get fed by the Word of God. They are family now. Cherished, wanted, and loved, unconditionally.
In this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things. While faith, family, and freedom always top my list, I feel my blessings are too many to count in this brief article.
As you gather with your loved ones this holiday season, and especially when you are eyeing the scrumptious dessert table, consider adding a slice of humble pie to your plate.
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Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only.
