BAM! SMACK! POW!

Years ago, our two oldest Aaron and Meagan were involved in our church’s youth group play. Meagan, who was in high school at the time and all into drama, had the roll of a pregnant teen. The day of the play came, and she was busy dressing for the part with her hair up in a ponytail, wearing jeans, sneakers, and her brother’s sweatshirt purposely accentuating her extended belly. She looked totally convincing.

As it became time for them to leave, I followed them out the back door to Aaron’s vehicle. Meagan gingerly waddled across our wide driveway while lovingly holding her underbelly that only pronounced the fact that she was “pregnant." I led her out with my hand on her back to nudge her along and literally said, “Meagan, stop being dramatic. Hurry and get in Aaron’s truck before our neighbors see you! They might seriously think you are pregnant!” (Yep! I sure did!)

Never missing a waddled-step, Meagan looked at me with those big, brown eyes and said, “What’s wrong, Momma? You’re afraid our neighbors will think we are not a perfect family?” Suddenly, I found myself spiritually in an old Batman movie:  BAM! SMAK! POW! UGH! Down for the count.

Meagan pulled herself into Aaron’s truck while adding, “I love you, Mom,” and they drove off waving goodbye. I was speechless. Motionless. Spiritually spanked. But not so much by my Meagan, but by the Spirit that lived within her. Just like David with Goliath, God got me right between the eyes with a truth I needed to see. A truth that I could not believe was in the depths of my soul. The truth that not only was I prideful, but that I gave PRIDE an unbridled voice!

Scripture began to appear like huge banners across my mind:  Matthew 15:18, “But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them,” Luke 6:45, “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” and Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

I do not recall how long the Lord had my attention standing there in my driveway. It seemed like hours, but I am sure it was only minutes. What I do know is that when I walked back into our house, I was humbled. Broken. Repentant. CHANGED.

To this day, I am shocked at myself and my prudish comment. I am shocked that those words flew out of my Christ-loving heart. I love people! I am drawn to people in need. I am called to be a support to young women. For goodness’ sakes, I led (and lead) a girls’ ministry!

Pride is part of our sinful nature and an enemy of our Sovereign God. Remember, it was satan's downfall! [I intentionally do not capitalize satan.] Pride and I have had many encounters through the years, and I wish I could say I always come out with Goliath's head as David did. Pride takes on many forms, and is not easily recognized; THUS the need for other Christ-chasers in our lives. It is critical that we surround ourselves with trusted people that will be honest and call us out like Meagan. I have a few in my life, especially Leo and our youngest daughter, who don't hesitate to uncover what I often do not see. They know my goal is to be more Christ-like. It is my prayer that the words of my mouth be pleasing to the Lord. I want to love like He loves and walk like He walks. I want this sinful man to talk less and repent more! I want people to see something different in me. I want to look like My Father! 

Pride doesn’t like to be revealed so prepare for a bruised ego and some enlightening battles. YET, each time we defeat pride’s attempt to score in our day is another gut-punch to the enemy, and I’M ALL ABOUT THAT! So, I ask, who is in your camp? Who do you surround yourself with:  "Yes friends" or people who lock arms with you and dare to speak Truth?

Proverbs 29:23 “A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.”

May we desire and live to be one He looks for as in Isaiah 66:2, “All these things My hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word.” MAY THIS BE THE POSTURE, FATHER, IN WHICH YOU FIND US!

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