Being "Clothed with Humility" - Random Journal Day Update

It is Random Journal Day again...the first Friday of the month, when several of us here in the blogosphere randomly choose a journal entry from our past...and dare to share it with you. (Click HERE to read what blogger Wendy Roberts is sharing today as our featured writer.) 

So I thumbed back through some old stuff, and discovered this previous post from one of my old journals.  Interestingly, it also coincides with Easter. I offer it to you again today as my Random Journal offering for this month.  (Originally Posted  8/3/10, but written many years previously)


I Peter 5:5 "....Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"

Proverbs 16:19 “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”


Back in the early days of our ministry it seemed that our finances were always a bit tight. I won’t say that we were ever destitute, for God would not allow that to happen. But we always had to watch our spending very closely. However, the pastor’s wife is often called upon to perform certain duties and to attend functions where she needs to look her very best. I have always bristled at the thought that a minister’s wife shouldn’t have stylish clothes or nice things. I’ve seen too many pastors’ wives having to make do with other people’s hand-me-downs or homemade outfits that looked homemade. And then when they do buy something really nice, they are criticized for not being very frugal, and putting on "airs"...  

"The Dress"
Funny...Today it would probably be
considered very stylish!

I’ve been the recipient of many such “gifts” in the past myself, and I have always graciously accepted those gifts outwardly, but oftentimes inwardly have groaned that I would have to wear that thing or someone would have their feelings hurt! On one such occasion a dear relative brought me a dress purchased at a thrift store thinking that I should wear it for Easter. Not only was the dress terribly out of style, but the bright flashy flowered print was just more than I could bear. However, I knew there was no way out since that particular relative would be spending Easter Sunday with us. I carefully made a few alterations to the dress and picked accessories that would help to downplay its garish design. Sunday morning I proudly wore the dress to church, much to the pleasure of the benefactor, and I actually received several sincere compliments from people at church. When I realized how much it pleased my relative to see me wearing something he had chosen for me with love, it helped me to put aside my feelings of pride and truly appreciate the gift and the giver.

Not long after this occasion, a couple from out of state was passing through our town and came to visit at our little church. They were friendly, but did not hang around very long after the service. That week I received in the mail a gift of $25.00 cash (a lot of money to me at that time!) with a note attached saying that I was to use that money to purchase a new outfit for myself and not to use it for my children or any other purpose! By the names signed on the note, I knew it was from the couple that had passed through earlier in the week, but there was no address or any way of contacting them to thank them. Even as I write this now many years later, I can only say thank you to the Lord, and pray that He will bless those dear people for their generosity and encouragement shown to me that day! And yet, I am reminded to also thank the Lord for the ones who gave what they could, even if it wasn’t something brand new, but yet it was given with just as much love and thoughtfulness.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

How about you? What are some of the lessons in humility you've learned throughout the years?
And, what are some of the ways God has supplied all of your need during times of leanness...which may be right now for some of us...?  Sometimes we just need to stop and think about it...and then remember to say, "Thank you, Lord!"