This is humbling...

Photo credit, Ryan Albaugh

I'm probably not alone in saying that the humble brag is one of my pet peeves. ESPECIALLY when it is proceeded by the words "I'm humbled to..." (receive this Oscar, be nominated for president, be inducted to this hall of fame, be included on this prestigious list). If you want to put that big honor on a button, a t-shirt or a bumper sticker, or write it in the sky for all the world to see, I will hoot and holler and celebrate with you. But seriously, you need to learn the difference between "I'm humbled by" and "I'm honored by" or else you're just being annoying.

This week has given me much to celebrate.

Last week we ran over to a little party for Moses' team at Quail run park (after Mo's last baseball game and also during Daniel's last baseball game at the same park). And you probably know how these things are. Mo can't eat the food, so there's always a rush to find something similar to throw in a bag at 7:00 a.m. following a game that ended at 10 p.m. the night before. The parents only know each other moderately well, so even the most extroverted of us eventually spends a little time with our hands in our pocket or pretending to be hugely interested in the bottle of water we're holding.

But something marvelously unexpected happened. Moses' coach spoke the most thoughtful words over each player as they were handed their "not the league champion" awards. Moses has no idea but he's actually not the best player on the team. Don't tell him. BUT, the words spoken to him by this pretty serious coach almost brought tears to my eyes. And I don't cry anymore.

He started with, "Mo, you're the smallest player with the biggest heart." He reminded us all that there's more to life than baseball. And then he told this story about Mo getting hit in the face hard by the ball. As the coaches rushed to check on him, full of worry that this had just ruined baseball for him, they said he paused, pulled himself together and then said, "This is awesome." I'm not sure that his coach knew just how much that summed up my incredibly tough little boy!

This week we also received a letter from the school district that was really affirming of so many things we already believed about this kid. And know I'm finding it mildly hilarious that my kid with an IEP could also be "gifted and talented". The irony of it all astounds me.

Yesterday I traveled to Odyssey aquarium with Daniel's sixth grade class. On the bus ride over the little girl I sat next to told me how Daniel and his best friend were two of the best behaved kids in the class that will listen to grown-ups. I heard something similar from another parent recently. I have always, since he was born said that his character is more important to me than anything...good grades, talent, success. And honestly, in my opinion, the people who are most successful in life are the ones with good people skills. So ladies...I want to put this on a bumper sticker. No, I'm not going to lie. I want to hire a sky writer. He's not perfect. He's not always respectful in every situation, and he can be self-centered and sulky with the best of them. But he seems to know when it matters most to pull out those things we try to teach and practice. And I was beyond honored to be a witness to his character on multiple occasions yesterday, traveling through the aquarium with a group of very-sixth-graders. And it made me proud and honored to be his mom.

As for me, I had the wonderful honor of being asked to preach for the very first time this Mother's Day. I felt so very blessed to be trusted by God and also our church leadership with such a significant responsibility. I received so many kind and encouraging words this week and am so thankful for the wonderful people God has allowed me to serve.

However, I'm learning that we can never take too much credit or too much blame. Life has a way of keeping us humble. In fact, while I know God never causes evil, I do wonder if there is sometimes a little divine intervention in these moments in order to keep our heads close to the ground. Because this was also me this week (and the week before)-

I was pretty excited to tell the kids I teach on Sundays about preaching on Mother's Day. I imagined it would be neat for them to see their pastor up there teaching the grown-ups.

Here's how the conversation went-

"Guys, I have to tell you something. There will be no JAM session next week because...(drum roll)...I'm preaching!"

Empty stares.

"So you'll be in the service with me," I explained.

Empty stares.

Hand raises.

"Can Mr. Dan teach us?"

"No! I want Mr. Dan there to support me!"

"Well, can you ask my mom if she can teach us?"

"NO! I want YOU there to support me!"

Blank Stares.

This is why I love kids. Their honesty.  But at least my own kids would be excited to see their own mom right? Here's the conversation getting out of the car at church on Mother's Day.

"What are we doing in JAM session today?"

"No JAM session today. I'm preaching, remember?" (hoping for cheers, or at least for my children to rise up and call me blessed like the mom in Proverbs 31).

"Yeah. I know you're preaching. But why do we have to be in there?"

Oh but I'm not finished. Because the FUNNEST part was reading all the kids' sermon notes that the turned in afterwords. Because in the blank for "Who was today's speaker" TWO kids wrote..."Pastor David"! WHAT?! It's like I wasn't even there. And THEN, in the spot that said "What's the most important thing you learned today?" one student said, "Higar was very old when she had a baby" (which is not true...Sarah was. Hagar was not). And in the spot that said, "Words I did not understand" the same kid wrote "Mistress". Whoops...I'm wondering how the lunch family conversations might have gone.

In other news-

On Monday I lost my title of a calm and patient person as I attempted to make four appointments. I was transferred no less than ten times, put on hold at least four. Had to go through the same long process with a quick question for my insurance company twice. And at one point when the computer asked me a question and I groaned, the robot voice said, "We seem to be having some trouble understanding you. Let me transfer you to a representative." I like to think of myself as an easy person to deal with but I felt a little tested.

On Monday night, forgetting everything I'd scribbled onto that cluttered May calendar and assuming that we were on the downhill slope as far as homework I announced, "Let's go to Costco after dinner tonight!"
"Yes! I love to go to Costco," said Daniel, running to the computer. "Just let me finish my poetry notebook real quick!"
"You're what????"
Five and a half hours, and 20 different poems later, with a whole lot of mama-Dano bonding time, we finished around 10:30 p.m.
Then, yesterday I heard his teacher remind the class that all missing work was due Friday. I went online and checked the status of his assignments. Let's just say I DO NOT get a bumper sticker that says, "You and your child are very well organized and he turns assignments in in a timely manner."

And also....
Remember that sweet little girl on the bus who told me how well behaved Daniel is? She also leaned across the aisle and asked him, "Is your mom pregnant? She kind of looks pregnant." IS YOUR MOM PREGNANT?!  I KNEW I should've went with the grilled chicken breast instead of scarfing down that cheeseburger at lunch!

So, you win some you loose some. Such is life. And life keeps you humble.