As my readership knows quite well, I consistently wrestle with perfection – which means that I have a pride issue. I have written about the different ways pride pops up its nasty head in my life, but writing about pride doesn’t rid my life of it, just as writing about a sinus infection won’t cure it. Rather, my pride problems drive me to prayer and devotions on a daily basis as I ever seek new insight on how to keep Christ first in my life.

I recently began to think that one way humility can be practiced is by being content with life as it is. This is one area where I am in need of improvement. I have a habit of comparing myself with others or discreetly competing with them. I often have a train of thought that goes something like this: “I don’t have as many children as A” or “I’m not as smart as B” or “I’m not as influential as C.” I can see this having the potential of only getting worse as I begin active parenting and homeschooling. At the heart of this dissatisfaction is the sin of pride. I want to prove that I’m better than everyone else, and that I have it all figured out. But the facts are that I’m not and I don’t. I have a unique calling for my life that was placed on me by God. My home must be my first priority. Everything else, no matter how noble or necessary, must come second to ensuring my home is peaceful and my family is content. The first place that starts is with me. If I am stressed, rushing, or discontent my family will be too; I set the tone of my home.

Who am I that God is mindful of me? The majestic king of the universe has gifted me with existence, and I dare think that I want or deserve more? Humility comes when I thank God for life exactly as it is and then go on to embrace it with joy. I absolutely need God’s help to let go of all the extras and only keep the ones He deems necessary to my life. I think God has to routinely slow me down to help me remember that He is in charge of my schedule, and I need to remember that. With the right perspective in place, the pause really isn’t so bad. It’s kind of like He’s serving me a slice of humble pie with a glass of milk.