Picture this. The day starts out as it always does, but there’s a dark cloud looming above me. Literally, this thing is threatening to burst as soon as I exit the car. It doesn’t care that I just straightened my hair or just detailed my car. This thing is pure evil. I managed to take a shortcut to work — one I hadn’t seen before, but today I had Super Vision.
I parked behind the school and darted in through the custodians’ closet. Lightening flashed and the thunder clapped just as I slid into safety. At that moment, that looming cloud let loose a monster storm of giant raindrops and hail to boot. Thank God for my Super Speed. I am Super Woman!
Truth is, most days the S on my chest is lowercase, and I know it. Most days, that’s all I need. On other days, I summon up my super powers from its source, and I unbutton my cardigan when there’s a crisis that requires superhuman strategies, superb listening skills, lightening fast actions, and extra sensory perception.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. ~Psalm 28:7
I know where my help comes from. In my arrogance, I sometimes forget to give credit where credit it due, but God has a way of reminding me that he is Soverign — with an uppercase S. I am merely the vessel he chose to complete certain tasks in a super way — lowercase s.
Kermit the Frog once said It’s not easy being green, and he’s probably right. It’s not easy being me either. I want to serve and do it well, but sometimes I just fall short. I know I have been equipped with talents, abilities, and gifts that will allow me to serve as God intended, but sometimes I desire more. I’m grateful for the gifts I have, but sometimes I covet others’ gifts that cause people to be wowed. During those moments is when I realize that I’ve lost my focus. Our gifts are to be used to glorify God — not ourselves. I’m still learning.
Today, I choose to be as humble as I know how because that’s what obedient servants do. I’m also choosing to leave my button-down shirt and cardigan buttoned and to remain in default lowercase s mode. If I need superpowers, I will reach out to my resources throughout the day — whether it be a fellow educator or a prayer warrior, I’ll actively seek their help.
As always, here’s my challenge to you: Choose to dwell on something good today. Let that be your default setting. No matter what calamity arises during the day, choose to look at that looming cloud from a different angle in search of the silver lining. There’s always a break in the clouds.
Before you leave today, check out Alicia Keys’ “Superwoman.” May blessings abound! <3
Wow. Michelle both the “s” and “S” woman is in humble and beautiful spirit. I am grateful to have a believer that encourages me and directs me at work. Too often I think we all get into the moments and keep ourselves in the S mode instead of remembering who we are and who we were created for. We need to recognize the Father as the one with the “S” strength and support and hold close to Him and allow his spirit flow through us so we hold the humble “s”.
You truly get it, Amy. God is omnipotent and omniscient. He knows what we need in our weakness, and he alone can strengthen us. Thanks for continuing to read.
So many things I could say, but this in itself is humbling. As a close friend of mine always says, “Everything is reverse in the Kingdom” and it’s so true. While the world shouts, “Be independent! You can do whatever you want to do. Be a superwoman. Humility is a sign of weakness”, etc, the Kingdom calls us to seek Him first, sit back, listen for His voice, and obey. There is a quiet strength that Christ exhibited in remaining humble-to the point of death. I was raised in a single parent household with a very strong independent mom and she taught my older sister and I what she knew–how to be independent and in a way, to be superwoman. Yet, there is such beauty and freedom in resting in the arms of the One who truly is Superior–in strength, in ability, in grace and so much more. I am grateful that as I have matured physically in age, I have and am learning to becoming more dependent on Him. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This blog gives me life!
Charlene, I’m grateful for your feedback and your friendship. True maturity comes as we draw closer to God and die daily. We all know where our help comes from, but to depend on him in all things is so much deeper than just calling on him in times of trouble. You inspire me to write more. .