Unless you turn and become like children
The singer and songwriter, Mac Davis, once wrote “Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way…” Of course the song was meant to be humorous but it all too often hits close to home. For many it is hard to be humble, to see ourselves as vulnerable, willing to give all that we have for the sake of those who have less or need more.
Growing up in a small mid-western farming community, I never realized, until much later in life, that my family was poor. My parents raised eleven children, spread across 22 years. We wore hand-me-down clothes, many hand-made by my mother. We played with trains made from tuna cans connected with string, homemade wooden toys that my father crafted from discarded crates, and dolls stuffed with cotton batting that my mother lovingly sewed together. Every summer we would plant, harvest, and can a huge garden. There was very little money but always a lot of joy and thanks to God for the bounty that we had received. Even with so little, my parents were always opening their hearts to help others, donating time and treasure to bring light to those who were less fortunate. It was pure love that fed and nourished them, and they gave it back in spades.
In reading the article by Siobhan McAndrew in last Sunday’s paper which spoke of Wynilou Cavilia, I could not help but remember my parents and the similarities. My memories of Winnie are more recent than perhaps many but are filled with visions of grace, love, humility, and joy. She always had a smile on her face and an aura of humility that spoke volumes.
It is interesting to note that so many who desire fame and fortune and work so diligently to achieve it are so quickly forgotten. It is often those who spent their lives in the shadow of those less fortunate, giving themselves to others, who achieve the greatest immortality. They are the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven and they will see God.
