The Good In Pride

In the Christian world, we always seem to see pride as a bad thing. We are supposed to be humble right?? After all, the "meek shall inherit the Earth." No one likes an egotistical guy right? They are jerks. We are all supposed to be humble servants of God. But can pride be okay?? Is pride bad or is there a mis-use of pride? I think pride can be a good thing, as long as that pride is put in the correct place. It's okay as long as you know that you have what you are bragging about because of God.

I had an experience of pride last night. I was looking at Max's YouTube videos and saw one that really, seriously impressed me. Monday, on a snow-day, Max and Molly made a video explaining the digestive system---just---for fun. Max, who is only ten years old. He fascinates on things such as anatomy, the solar system or geography but his social skills have a bit to be desired. But after watching the video I experienced a lot of pride.

I think pride in your children are a good thing. It encourages them and can make them feel better. And I do have some great kids--they are good kids, smart, healthy and kind. But, I know that it's by the grace of God that they are like that. Sorry, but we aren't that family that you would expect all the kids to be perfect. And my kids aren't. I want to strangle them sometimes but they have been successful in their lives so far despite my failings as a parent.

There are other things in my life that I have done or that I have that I am proud of. I'm proud of myself for being a Marine, for completing college, for getting a job and becoming a sergeant. I'm proud of my house (at least from the outside--the inside is a disaster thanks to those kids I'm so proud of (and a couple of dogs)) I'm proud that I have a smart, funny caring, smoking hot wife.

I realize though, that I only have those things because of the grace of God. Now I have to figure out how to use those graces to complete God's mission for me. Sometimes that picture is clearer than others.

It's okay to have pride. Often we are proud of things that we had no input on. We can have pride in our city or local sports teams. We can have pride in our heritage. But our pride needs to be healthy and well placed. If it's all about us then it's misplaced, but if we point our successes to He who made those successes possible then it can be a good thing.

What things are you proud of?? What things humble you?