Monday, March 1, 2010

admitting it is the first step

dear emily,

as i was sitting in the choir loft yesterday, i looked out to see an 
old friend in the congregation.  my heart lifted, because she has 
struggled with alcohol addiction and has avoided the church.  i 
imagined her saying, "my name is...and i'm an alcoholic."

that is a tried and true method of AA, but all of a sudden it 
just seemed so unfair.  if they have to humiliate themselves to
that level, then we ought to hold ourselves to the same standard.

imagine the crowded hallways of the church filled with these
kind of conversations.

"hello, my name is lea, and i am a self centered, selfish, lazy
person.  sometimes, i can be downright mean and hurtful, to
boot.  whatever made you think to wear navy slacks with a
black sweater?"

"hi lea.  nice to meet you!   my name is rae, and if i don't get 
my way, i am given to periods of pouting and moodiness.  my
marriage is in shambles.  don't you think your skirt is a wee bit
too short...and tight?"

love,
lea

matthew 23:12
"for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be exalted."

  

33 comments:

Deborah Ann said...

So true! I recently heard a pastor say that we shouldn't label ourselves. In labeling ourselves as alcoholics, drug users, single mothers...we're giving ourselves a label that God is NOT giving us! Besides, if there is such a thing as a 'single' mom, then why aren't there 'double' moms? We're just moms.

Single and Sane said...

Hi, Lea. My name is Margaret and I'm critical and judgmental. And you've reminded me how undeserving and grateful I am for God's grace. =)

Jo said...

Hi, Lea, my name is Jo, and I am addicted to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I am also a woman, a single mother, a widow, and I am guilty of sometimes feeling like I am outside the candy store, looking in on everyone else enjoying themselves. Thank you for reminding me that we are really all the same. :-)

Vee said...

We are children of the Living God and you are right to remind us that labeling ourselves or others is not what He does. It comes all too easy for us, though... I'm glad that your friend was in church yesterday!

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Oh, so well said!
Yes, we ALL have something, don't we? Such a good reminder! This the one area that God tells us to look at ourselves closer than we are looking at others.

BB said...

Hello Lea... I like this post! I was coming to berate you for leaving such an outrageous comment on my blog (either that or offer the name of a good optometrist!). But it seems it's confession time. Hello. My name is Bush Babe. And I am a photo addict. And I cannot take a compliment gracefully. And I hate housework. And I get all riled up with negativity (which is kind of self-defeating now I think about it).

I love the idea of this blog... share that wisdom woman!
:-)
BB

Sewn With Grace said...

Thank you for your kind words on my blog today. I am so glad to have found you. What a wonderful post, so true. I look forward to spending more time reading through your blog. Have a blessed day!

Cathy said...

Oh but wow, if that's the way we truly were don't you think God would be able to do so much more through us.

But thank you God, that you love us even when we are critical (as I can be quite often) and mean spirited. Thank You God!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

That is a great point. I like the way you think. Thank you for stopping over at my blog today.

Lori R. said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I came over to see what you were about, and I love that you add scripture to the end of your post... Thanks for the message...

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Lea
My name is Julie and I am a ... oh boy .. think i would need a few pages to complete that one! haha.. mostly I am a perfectionist.. which doesn't make life easy for myself or those around me.. haha I'm obviously also vain as your lovely comment made my day a bit brighter!!

I love this post.. it is so perfect!! [oops there goes that perfectionist attitude again.. hahaha] xx Julie

More Than Words said...

Oh my...so true!!!

You really nailed it with this post. We are all sinners saved by Grace.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Lea, a thought provoking post.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

What a fabulous blog post! The only label I wear is "Daughter of the High King". It's so easy for most to confuse what we do with what we are and what we do really doesn't matter so much. Our identity is in Christ, nothing else counts because that makes everything else fall into place.
Less of me, more of Him.

Alison said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! This is a great post. It's definitely true that we are all the same in God's eyes, but it's so easy to label ourselves and others. Usually I realize that when I actually get to know someone that had a "label" and realize that they are nothing like what I perceived them to be. Makes me want to take back anything I ever thought or said about them!

Lisa said...

That is too funny! But soooo true! Thank you for your sweet words and visit. I can not take the credit for the singing birds. They are a button on the Spiritual Sundays blog. They are adorable aren't they?

Rebecca Nelson said...

Dear Lea...

This is an amazing Post. I would very much like to LINK to it in my blogpost today. I think the women who visit my blog would love to read it.

I hope this is OK with you!

Thank you for your visit. Always a joy!

Love to you~Rebecca

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a cute blog!
My name is Sandy toes and I am behind in laundry!

sandy toe

Terra said...

This is very cute. Oh if honesty really reigned, but few of us really admit to our faults.
I am so happy that Jesus loves me, faults and all.

Char said...

Hello, my name is Char and I cheat on my diet!! I just have to say that altho I have never been thur AA or anything like that, I don't consider "telling" a label. I prefer to think of it as an admission of a sickness. They say if you can't admit it, you can't heal it. And now another confession, I loved your post and am off to follow, guess I might need AA as I feel a blog addiction coming on!!! Thanks and can't wait for my next fix,:) Char

Thmini2 said...

They words you wrote are all so true. I can be critical of others and I do cheat on my diebetic diet. Both of which are unhealthy. I am going to become a follower.

Stella said...

It's true none of us are perfect and we need to extend the grace God gives us to others.

Jeanne said...

True words. Thank you for writing this.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Yes, we could all do that part of the AAA thing. Because we are all human. Thank you for reminding us, of this.

Oh and I just tried to put your blog into my Google Reader again. Just in case it would show all your posts, this time. -pout- It did not. It only shows your posts, through Nov. 6th.

Perhaps someday I'll come across some blogger who sounds very techy, and I'll ask her, if she has any ideas way. [Yes, I suppose I could ask Google Reader. But I'm not good at returning and checking for Answers To Asked Questions. -blush-] :-)

Wondering if any of your readers, besides me, use Google Reader to follow blogs? And if so, do they have this problem? Or if they do not have it, and all your new posts show up in their Google Reader, could they tell me why I have it? Wondering.... :-)

Gentle hugs...

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Hi my name is Maggie and I am too hard on my fellow employees that I think should have a better attitude while doing their job.
Just found your lovely site and looking forward to being a follower
Take care
Maggie

myletterstoemily said...

i have visited google reader many times
trying to fix the problem. left questions
with out receiving answers.

i really need some tech support and have
a friend coming to help some time this
month.

glenda said...

Awesome post....
I have never thought that shame and humiliation will make anybody do or feel better. I don't think much of AA either. It's like being on a diet and declaring..
I will not have any chocolate cake...it's a rule, and what does your mind then want. Chocolate cake.
It's law and grace..I tell myself I can have the cake if I want it, and it seems to stop the craving most of the time...
do that make any sense????
glenda@serendipityCottage

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi Lea: I am new to your post and I love it. It is true we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. If I had to list my faults, it would take up pages. Thank you for your inspiring words. You are a good lady. Blessings, Martha

Cinnamon said...

Oh that is funny!! Thanks for the great post~

~Cinnamon

Unknown said...

Hi Lea. My name is Tracy and I'm not grateful enough, I'm guilty of not believing in myself (God made me and I should remember that)and feeling a wee bit bitter right now.

I loved you post. I came over from Rebecca's.

Have a blessed day. Hugs...Tracy :)

elk said...

sending you a flower this day . your post strikes a chord with many I know .

Lafe's Hidden Treasures said...

So inspiring and I needed some inspiration today. I label myself as a "Grieving Mom" because I think everyone else does. I know I should shake this but it is so true still, I grieve for my son. Have a great Wednesday.

heidi @ ggip said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today and commenting. I appreciate it very much.

What an interesting point of view this post gives. I am not very familiar with AA, but I know that a chapter meets at my church. I have heard that many of it's principles were originally from the Bible which is quite interesting. I think this is kindof like taking the plank out of our own eye.