Celebrate Pi Day With A New Kind of Slice
Every March 14th pie enthusiasts and math lovers across the globe celebrate Pi Day.
Whether you share an affection for all things numerical or formulaic, or if you’re like me and you simply need no bigger excuse than “Hey, It’s Tuesday!,” to celebrate your sweet tooth, I am sure can agree this punny holiday is worth all the fuss.
This year, let me encourage you to celebrate this beloved tradition with a new twist – by serving yourself a different slice of pie.
Always Learning, Always Growing
When I used to think about eating humble pie, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
You see, I viewed this dish in the same manner as most five-year-olds view Brussels sprouts – nourishing and nutritious but hard to swallow.
Experience is the best teacher. Over the years, as I have learned to lean into the growing pains of my faith, I have started viewing things a bit differently. Always learning, always growing.
Conviction Is Not Condemnation
In my desire to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord, I endeavor to practice my faith with both attention and intention. While none of us relish the thought of correction, it is a necessary part of our growth.
Learning the difference between conviction and condemnation is key.
When we confuse conviction with condemnation, our brains are filled with guilt and our hearts are flooded with shame.
The correction of conviction enlightens us about God’s purpose and calling on our lives, helps us gain wisdom from past mistakes, and teaches us to practice discernment when faced with future choices.
Conviction is part of good parenting, created by the original parent of all parents, our Heavenly Father.
Condemnation, conversely, is of the enemy whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy.
Practicing Humility
hu*mil*i*ty /noun/
the state of being humble
www.merriam-webster.com
What does it mean for a Christian to practice humility?
At its heart, it means remembering that in all that we do – our actions, thoughts, and deeds – we do NOT in service of ourselves but in service of God.
At the heart of service, lies the heart of Jesus. It’s all about him, not us.
Our Savior was first a servant – obedient to the point of death.
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
Whether we admit it or not, we all like pats on the back now and then. Those little strokes of recognition can be quite reinforcing.
And I am no exception.
I have a servant’s heart and deeply enjoy helping others. I, too, need daily reminders of the true focus of my efforts – to fulfill the Great Commission.
It’s not about me. It never was. It’s all about Jesus.
Imperfect Progress
Let me assure you, there is certainly nothing wrong with feeling proud of a job well done. After all, I am a firm believer that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Yet, I am a bigger Believer in my Redeemer, in His purpose for me, and His plan and calling on my life.
To keep my pride from becoming foolish, I practice humility. I serve myself a big helping of humble pie often and keep it as a regular rotation on the menu. And for the times when I forget to cut myself a slice? Let me assure you, God steps in and lets me know, “order up my child.”
What guides my humility practice?
Spending quality time with the Lord.
Reading my Bible, attending worship, fasting, and prayer. I actively pursue a relationship with God daily whether I have only a few minutes, an hour, or merely chunks of time scattered throughout my day.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
I encourage the same with my husband and son. Below is one of our family’s favorite prayers we use in our homeschool as part of practicing humility:
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 Humility 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.
So Happy Pi Day, from my family to yours.
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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.
