The truth is that many modern parents really believe what they think about their child is real– they really are the cutest, the smartest, and the best at everything they do.? That’s why they attribute failure to bad luck.

The truth is that if we want well rounded children, we need to realize that they need to be firmly grounded in reality– knowing who they are, what they are good at, but realizing that there’s more to the world than just them.

When family activities revolve around what we believe our kids “need” or “want” in order to feel better about themselves, we drive them to be self-centered.

Pride is the result

Teaching Humility

But how do you go about teaching humility?? By modeling it– so says Dr. Meg Meeker in her book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.? Our kids need to see in us that we understand that the world is bigger than us.? Compared to God, we’re but dust, we are worth something because He loves us.

If a daughter is grounded in humility, she will have a proper (not inflated) view of herself.? She will be more content, and not need the things of this world in order to feel pretty, smart, etc.? She won’t have to be the best, because she will? know who she is.

This is the opposite of the teaching of building self-esteem, this is building self-awareness.? This is building in our children the ability to understand who they are, what their position is in the grand scheme of things, and that they are not the center of the Universe.

When we, as parents, put others first, when we treat others with respect, and when we show that the world does not revolve around us, we have taken a big step in helping our children to do the same.? When we refuse to make our children the center of our universe, we’ve taken another step.

Humility as a Guide

The neat thing about humility is that it will be an excellent guide.? Those that truly pursue their own happiness, or self-indulgence, as their chief goal will find it empty.? They will always be after more, as lust gradually increases.? They will need more stimulation to get the same hit, and be willing to chase happiness and find it wherever they can.

Humility will look to others first.? Because it’s outward focused (either on God or others) it will help your daughter to see that she really is but a small part of a bigger story– and something great will come if only she’ll be able to deny the immediate for the long term.

A Example from Christ

There’s a reason that the story of Jesus is so powerful.? In Philippians 2 we read that Jesus humbled himself to come in human form to die on the cross.? He was willing to set aside His personal happiness to come to Earth to die.? Not something I think the God of the Universe would find enjoyable.

He chose to set aside His glory for the greater glory to come.

It is that humility that we want our children to show– the self sacrificing glory.? The kind that looks at what pleasure may offer in the short term, but looks at the long term implications and says no.? The type that can see through the marketing and the hype, and realize that, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn’t worth it.

It’s a hard lesson.? Especially when everyone from the government to the local burger chain wants you to “have it your way” and make sure that you’re happy.

But it’s worth it.? It’s worth it for you to humble? yourself to give your children the right way to view life.

Please forgive me for the play on words here but the Lord keeps bringing it mind. The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. This dependence must be in every area of my life.

When I started blogging eleven months ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow.

The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipped to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.

Humility is what we are called to and we are told in scripture that when we are weak we are strong. When we are weak is when we know that the strength of the Lord is at work. Often times when I feel the most inadequate and unqualified is when people see the Lord at work. This is as it should be. Then I am unable to boast but must give credit where credit is due, to the Lord.

This humbling is needed in any relationship. It matters not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. I know that by my nature, I am not kind, compassionate, or loving. This is a weakness. But through my weakness can flow the kindness, compassion, and love of Christ, not because of me or anything I can do but because of who God is!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I shall strive to have a weakened kindness, a weakened compassion, a weakened love. A kindness, compassion, and love that is not given just out of ourselves and our own might but is given out of a dependence on the Lord Jesus which flows through me. Then my weak efforts at kindness, compassion, and love will be made strong.

It will matter not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. They will all be blessed by my obedient submission to rely upon the Lord.