Every Gift has a Glitch—Embracing Who You Are with Humility—August 19th

               It was a warm and breezy afternoon as I sat and poured out pained and anxious fears for a friend. It seems so obvious to me, I cried. I just don’t want this to go the way it’s looking.

In a break in my worried and love-based rant, my dad sighed, looked at me and admonished, “Elise, you have a personality that sees things clearly and precisely in black and white. You always have. You speak the truth about situations and people don’t like that. It’s a difficult gift and place for you to be in and calling for you to have because people have to make a choice when they’re confronted with the truths you see—and many wont like you for that. But, its how you’re wired to operate”.

As I let those words sink in, I then turned to my mother, asking her if she thought I was too judgmental—if I should “tone myself down” in a way. I know I’m human, fallible, I don’t know the whole story and I have to live out my gifting in humility.

After a thoughtful pause, my mother related, “well, I agree with your father, and I think that because you are gifted to see the world and situations in a clear and “black and white” way it can often come across as lacking grace”.

Every gift has a glitch. Yes, I may be wired with a quick-thinking, processing and “judging” mind that weighs and interprets with speed—but I have to wield it with grace. Your greatest gift is also your weakness. Achilles had his heel, Pandora had her box.

Whether we downplay our gifts with “oh, I’m not REALLY….” or proclaim them—it’s prideful. The first is often an attempt at seeking affirmation and approval from others, the latter reveals insecurity. Lewis articulated that true humility “isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less” (Screwtape Letters). Denying the way I’m wired and the good aspects of it, does nothing for my or other’s growth—every part of the Body matters.  My discernment is needed—but it must be tempered with grace.

Today is a different sunny afternoon and I’m asking for forgiveness. If I’ve hurt you by lacking humility, patience, and grace in conversation, advice-giving, or in writing—forgive me. In order to be heard I must speak the truth in love and entrust the outcome to Christ. I must share in light of grace and in humility that acknowledges the truth that my gifting—and yours too—are mere echoes of the gift-giver. May we walk together in humble grace.