Sep 23, 20234 min read

Humble My Pride

Updated: Nov 18, 2023

Ah, Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah 32:17

The February shopping experience was unique to me because I was very low on cash and had a few days before I got paid. I wanted to buy a few items at the supermarket and would use the last few credits I had left on my card to buy some groceries. I joined the line happy with my items for purchase when I saw that an elderly gentleman at the kiosk ahead of me, was about to forget one of the few items that he had in his cart to check out.

He was very gracious and motioned me closer. I thought he needed help to use the kiosk, but he told me to put my stuff up and that he would pay for them. I was taken aback and told him "No" because I thought he might be trying to be my sugar daddy. He looked at me and asked me if I was blocking my blessing. Normally I would have insisted but something made me say instead, "Okay".

I was still distrustful. In a way, I smirked inwardly and mused, "My vegetarian items will cost more than you think." While he was scanning the items and I was placing them in the bag, I asked him why he wanted to buy me free groceries. He told me that God had blessed him to survive 8 heart attacks and this was the least he could do to show his gratitude. I humbly told him "Thank you" and he left without looking back or trying to get my number. Then I knew fully the LORD had orchestrated this meeting and the few mites on my card were spared. I felt sweet joy and told my daughter that it was the sweetest thing that a stranger had done for me in a while.

March's shopping experience was not as sweet, it was more humbling and made me very thoughtful. This month my finances were very low because the hike in gas prices was quickly robbing me of funds. I had over a 100-minute commute every day to work and my car, though good on gas, could not compete with the new cost of driving. I juggled funds to make it work and was a day away from my paycheck so I thought I would buy two items for a demo that I wanted to do at Narda.Pella. I knew I should have had funds enough to buy them. I went to the teller and I inserted my card and yes you guessed it, it declined.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

The Lord allows poverty and riches; He humbles and promotes you in due time.

1 Samuel 2:7 (reflection)

I was perplexed and told the sales clerk to put the items to the side. I walked away to check my account using my phone. I was interrupted by a lady, who said to me, something like "Take it as a blessing, I will put it on my tab," she saw my face and repeated it and I asked her if she was sure. She reassured me. I was deep in thought thinking about my humbling experience... I like to give to people, but it is more difficult to receive certain types of help. I thought about the experience in January. When I could do nothing for myself, God opened the door of someone's heart to help me meet my desires, without me expressing my need. Once again I didn't ask... but God had someone in place. I had a want and could have done without the items... but even my small desire for a good cause was registered in Heaven.

Why do I share these experiences? God uses many things to catch our attention. Providing for those in need is His specialty! Money is not an object to Him...sometimes we may forget this when our problems loom larger than they really are in God's sight.

If He asks you to do something... He has people in place at the right times to fulfill His requests even when you never ask. Remember to "Let Faith in God be your Money."

Are you at the point of eviction?... Trust God. Did you lose your job? Trust God... Every and all things going wrong? Trust God! Constantly discouraged and stressed? Night always seems long, but it is always followed by day... and then an even brighter one, especially for those who are in Christ.

My friends all around the world, you are not ALONE. Be patient in your trials... God is working it out... He will send help on time. God wants to grow your faith in Him and not in your abilities. How do you gain this faith? Romans 10:17 says, "...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." While you wait, humble your pride and accept His help. Selah!🙏