I have blurred the line many times in my life – boasting all too often when humility should be the approach. There have been other times when I’ve shrunk down…when in reality I should have more confidence.
Needless to say – I get it wrong quite often.
I do know that I’m not afraid to boast about my weaknesses. When I was a camp counselor at Camp Metigoshe, we spent an entire summer teaching kids about the scripture from 2 Corinthians 12:9. “I will boast gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” If you’ve followed my writings or my speaking in the past – boasting about mistakes and shortcomings is my M.O.
Where the line gets blurred seems to come from one of my favorite quotes from Marianne Williamson. She says “You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.”
Ms. Williamson talks about shining – and that’s what I strive to do all the time. But it’s defining where the light comes from that makes all the difference. I know I’ve messed up in the past – confusing good in this world or in my life and trying to take the credit for it. I love great success and the limelight – and I’ve messed up in taking the credit for getting me there.
But I am the extension cord. I have no power – I just get to help connect Christ Jesus to the world.
So let me be perfectly clear: All the good in this world – and all the good in my life – comes from God. HE deserves all the praise. HE deserves all the glory. HE is the reason we shine!
I know this, with confidence. As I type this, I have my newborn daughter (Finley) in the
bassinet next to me sleeping soundly. And I will boast until I’m blue in the face at the glory in which God has given my family through this little miracle.
It’s been 12 days, and I’m already that dad. I share way too many pictures. All I talk about is my daughter. I have never been more proud or excited about anything in my life. I am bragging – every waking minute – about Finley.
But it’s not because of something that I did. I am not asking for credit or praise. Every mention of Finley is praising God for what He’s done. I’m not getting this one wrong…
So I’m bragging – fiercely – about this angel in my life. God has been faithful. Life has never been better – and God deserves all the glory!
And since I need to boast gladly about my weaknesses – let it be known that Finley has – 5x so far – decided that her bommtom is diapered isn’t the right time to make a mess. The right time is as soon as I’m changing her.
It’s as though she’s finding joy in it. I don’t blame her. It is kinda funny…
Erik Hatch