“In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.” Psalm 36:2
Even though this is the week of Thanksgiving I wanted to start with a confession. Several years ago I decided to order a fresh, free-range turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. When I arrived at Fiddlehead Farms on Wednesday I gave them my name and asked for the pre-ordered, fifteen-pound turkey. However, after checking in the back room, the young man came back puzzled and embarrassed. He told me they did not have my turkey. Of course I “explained” to them how much I was looking forward to this free-range turkey, etc. They then generously offered me the only turkey they had left, a twenty-three pounder, for the same price as the much smaller turkey ordered. I acquiesced.
Unfortunately, my family and visiting extended family got the whole story. While expressing that I was “Seriously disappointed” as we sat around the dinner table together Wednesday evening, the phone rang. The answering machine beeped and a gentleman said, “Mrs. McKenna, this is Market Basket calling about the Turkey you ordered. We just wondered if you were still going to pick it up or if we should sell it to someone else?” (Imagine very loud, accusatory laughter.) I ordered the turkey from the wrong grocery store!
Wow! I thought I was right. I knew I was right. I would have bet my life that I was right. Isn’t that the truth? We ardently believe things that just aren’t true and they lead to humiliation, if not destruction. It is sad that I never considered that I could have been wrong. Being the center of my universe , when turkey shopping at least, has never ended well. Before I was a Christian my self absorption ended in isolation. However, now it ends in humiliation. Pride does come before a fall but thank God it does!
Hopefully, my attitude will not be so self-righteous should something like the turkey confusion happen again. Only by God’s grace will that be true. I no longer desire to be right when I’m wrong. In fact, I’d rather be someone who gives others the benefit of the doubt, offering the same grace God shows to me everyday. So, this Thanksgiving my prayer is for a spirit of humility that reflects Christ’s heart. May God bless you and keep you humble this holiday.
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