This past weekend I went to a conference with my professor in Seattle. Remembering that we were going to be reading/thinking about humility this week, I began to do some observations. I tried to recognize instances in which others were(n't) being humble and instances in which I was or was not being humble. I noticed the maid who comes into the hotel room, cleans up the room, folds up sheets, folds up the ironing board, makes the beds, and so on. No one knows who he or she is, and he/she does it for little pay. I noticed some professors who decided to speak out much more than others in order to proclaim their knowledge to others. I heard comments about why so-and-so's paper was better than another, and how they deserve honor because they spent so much time on this paper. Everyone sought good/positive comments from the professors after reading their papers, but whenever the professor offered a point of critique/improvement, their faces shifted in expression and they seemed frustrated and angry with the professor. Following each of the professor's comments, the students would rebuttal, explaining that the professor had misunderstood the argument, or misread the thesis, etc. etc. Instead of willingly/humbly accepting the critique, there was backlash and conversations to follow outside the classroom about the professor's inability to understand, and why that student was so glad they did not attend that university because they have professors' who don't know what they are talking about.

After serving at Sonshine for the past three years, I recognized the importance and value of critique, allowing others--no matter they are more experienced, younger, a barney, a youth pastor, or a dockhand--to help you to improve. NONE of us are perfect, yet we seem to construct ourselves in a way that says PERFECTION! There are always things that we can be working on, can be doing better. Whenever someone else gives us advice, we should just take it, whether or not we agree. It's always a better answer to just shake your head, smile, and tell them 'thanks' for their advice/help! Then we avoid unnecessary conflict.

As a driver/trainee team, I think it is important for us to remember that we are all just servants of the Lord this summer. No one is higher up or more important or needed more than anyone else. We are all learning how to best serve the Lord, and therefore, when someone approaches us, it is best to take that suggestion with a smile and a good attitude. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers a multitude of sins.

In the same way, it is important for the person approaching the other to it with humility, respect, and love as well. To not offend or insult or hurt the person they are approaching, but rather do it out of love for that person - sincere love.