Imagine this scene from my afternoon this past weekend. Windows down, country music up, sunlight streaming through the windshield, and my long shift at work had just ended. Sounds perfect, right? Now let me add in the fact that I was stalled in the intersection of 12th and K, with my hazard lights on, and horns of confused drivers honked around me. Yikes. Welcome to a day in the life of Marie Foley and her 1993 Grand Plymouth Voyager.
My van and I have become quite close over the past years. I’ve been the proud owner of my 22-year-old minivan for almost 2 years and 10 months, which is approximately 2 years and 9 months longer than anyone in my family expected it to last. It cost slightly more than college textbooks, but it has taken me much farther in life. It has an average of starting on the 4th try, although one time it took 17 tries and on one special day it decided to start on the 2nd time. I’ve gotten to make quite a few pit stops on the side of the road, but I think my most memorable moments have been on O Street or on the Interstate. This grey box on wheels has many attractive features, but a few of my favorites are the side rails, the missing door handle, and the crank windows. January is her best month for air conditioning, yet August is normally when the heating abilities will be at her peak. She’s a beauty, she’s a piece of work, and she is the best teacher in the lesson of humility.
My van and I have become quite close over the past years. I’ve been the proud owner of my 22-year-old minivan for almost 2 years and 10 months, which is approximately 2 years and 9 months longer than anyone in my family expected it to last. It cost slightly more than college textbooks, but it has taken me much farther in life. It has an average of starting on the 4th try, although one time it took 17 tries and on one special day it decided to start on the 2nd time. I’ve gotten to make quite a few pit stops on the side of the road, but I think my most memorable moments have been on O Street or on the Interstate. This grey box on wheels has many attractive features, but a few of my favorites are the side rails, the missing door handle, and the crank windows. January is her best month for air conditioning, yet August is normally when the heating abilities will be at her peak. She’s a beauty, she’s a piece of work, and she is the best teacher in the lesson of humility.
Driving this minivan has taught me about humility in the hardest and best ways. I’ve learned to ask for help and I’ve learned the importance of having my grandpa, my parents, and AAA on speed dial. More seriously, I’ve finally considered the desires in the core of all of our human hearts, which yearns for affirmation, pride, and comfort. But humility is virtue which battles the vice of pride. Humility isn’t flashy or bold or self-reliant; it is simple and modest. “In humility, value others above yourself. “ – Philippians 2:3
This past year, one of my closest friends introduced me to a new prayer. It’s called the Litany of Humility, and it’s a keeper. In the prayer, we are given the chance to ask Christ to deliver us from self-absorbed desires. If we learn to really trust in God, than it is possible to stop competing with ourselves to satisfy our pride, and also learn to listen to the needs of others. Forgetting about our own comfort gives us the time to realize that there is a bigger world. The litany of humility asks for our Lord’s assistance in humbly following in His footsteps and casting aside, or at least offering up to Him, all those nagging doubts and fears that come with our self-centeredness. Humility does NOT deal with insecurity or inadequacy. We don’t think less of ourselves; we simply realize that there are more important things to think about.
This past year, one of my closest friends introduced me to a new prayer. It’s called the Litany of Humility, and it’s a keeper. In the prayer, we are given the chance to ask Christ to deliver us from self-absorbed desires. If we learn to really trust in God, than it is possible to stop competing with ourselves to satisfy our pride, and also learn to listen to the needs of others. Forgetting about our own comfort gives us the time to realize that there is a bigger world. The litany of humility asks for our Lord’s assistance in humbly following in His footsteps and casting aside, or at least offering up to Him, all those nagging doubts and fears that come with our self-centeredness. Humility does NOT deal with insecurity or inadequacy. We don’t think less of ourselves; we simply realize that there are more important things to think about.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
This last line is my absolute favorite. A life of true humility asks God to grant holiness to others above yourself. It is the essence of pure unselfishness. Try this prayer on for size, and if you happen to see me stalled on the side of the road… I would love some company as I wait for the tow truck!