Humilty or Humiliation

So as some know I spun out a week or so back in the bad snow storm and ended up in the ditch, waiting for an hour to get towed out. It was interesting to us as we sat there how many cars stopped to help, how many would either drive down the road and turn around or back up on the highway to see if we were ok. Gladly we were all alright and there was no damage to the car.

So this morning on my way to work I came up on a car on the side of the road and an elderly man walked around to the front which I though was to check on the car in some way, as I slowed to see if he was ok (really felt I should since so many stopped for us) he starts waving me on, as he holds his pants up ... Yep you got it he was just relieving himself.

I compare the 2 events - the humbling experience of sitting in a ditch while so many drive by and having to admit - hey I lost control and the humiliating experience on that man as I stop to ask him if he is ok and he is just trying not to get any pee on his pants.

I think we often get the 2 mixed up in real life experiences. We are not humble people because when God bring opportunities are way to be humble to admit we were wrong, or may not have the write answer, we react like we have been humiliated.

God uses humbling experiences in our lives, we cause the humiliation.

Brad Pitt

Here is the story

We were shopping at the Grove, which is a really amazing, well know shopping center in LA, and Philip (Elisabeth's brother) and I were talking about getting a Haegen Daaz hot chocolate, which I never got. But anyways, while we were talking about it Amber (Philip's wife), started going crazy saying "there is Brad Pitt". So she grabbed the stroller and Nathan and took off, and we just did our best to keep up. So Brad turned down towards the parking lot and ducked down a little side track. So we just figured he was gone, as we turn back he is standing there reading a map or something. We figure just trying to lose anyone who might have seen him. As we get around the corner the guy pulls out a honking huge Camera and starts taking pics and calling for "Brad" After a couple shots Brad said "come on guys" By this time he was ahead of me as I stopped to see what was gonna happen. And with all the practice I've had jumping into random pictures over the years I was in the perfect place to make sure I was in most of the remaining pictures. A little "confrontation" ensued, and Brad ended up leaving. I was only about 6 inches behind him at this point and made sure to get a chance to tell him how cute his little girl was, who is from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia where I am working now. We slowed and Brad kept walking.

Amber followed again.

They then followed him into "American Girl" asking if there were any boy stuff for Nathan. We were directed up stairs which just happened to be where Brad was headed. So we went up there. I stayed back and sat on a sofa while the others went in. At one point we could see Brad peaking at us to see who we were and what we were doing. We ended up leaving deciding to give him his space. So we sat by the fountain Philip saw him coming again and as he approached politely said "Mr Pitt, would you mind a picture" He said no thanks, and smiled and kept walking.

The Underdogs

Well after a great Sunday of watching the Superbowl, that included a great game (I might be bias since I was cheering for the Giants) we headed to Hermosa Beach to watch Jay Leno do stand up. We were in the third row, and I'm not gonna lie to you Jay waved at us as we drove away. Elisabeth and I left as soon as he left the stage, but they wouldn't let anyone out until he was in his car. We got out and started walking down the street and I was moving my wallet that was in my hand when Jay drove by, and I guess assumed I was waving, so he glanced over and waved at us. All in all a pretty cool night.

So the underdog Giants won, which made out for a great game. I think most were expecting a blowout and the Tom Brady show to continue. Personally I think the Tom Brady show better when he is frustrated and getting knocked around all the time. But most didn't give the Giants a chance, most thought maybe they could keep it close for a while but then in time they would give in to the potent Pats offense. I have to be honest that wasn't the only "underdog" lesson I learned this Sunday. We went to Philip's church here in LA this Sunday, I got a chance to talk to them about Global Reach stuff. But it really got me thinking - not sure yet if it was an attitude thing or a faith thing yet - still working through that. But I'd say about 15 people were there, and yet they still run things like the place was full. they bring in speakers, have a good sound system, spend a lot of time praying through and getting ready for the service, thinking through songs, offering, and how to help their community. It really got me thinking to the times when we'd cancel youth cause not enough people would be there. It's not worth our time. Yet everyday, they work in faith with the flock God has given them that day.

What flock has God blessed you with? You family? Your friends that need it? A small group you lead? or a entire church? Whatever it is just be faithful, cause in reality you are the underdog.