Laurie

Practicing Humility Like Mother Teresa

“These are the few ways we can practice humility:

  • To speak as little as possible of one’s self.
  • To mind one’s own business.
  • Not to want to manage other people’s affairs.
  • To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.
  • To pass over the mistakes of others.
  • To accept insults and injuries.
  • To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.
  • To be kind and gentle even under provocation.
  • Never to stand on one’s dignity.
  • To choose always the hardest.”

― Mother Teresa

Meditations in Motion

But, it’s hard to be humble, Mother Teresa.

I want to talk about myself. I think I’m fascinating. I have lots of good stories.

Other people’s business is titillating. Hearing about the misfortune of others makes me feel better about my own mistakes and failings.

I am better at managing my family’s affairs than they are. I know what is best for everyone, always.

There are no valid corrections needed for my own thoughts and behavior. I am usually right.

If I pass over the mistakes of others, how will they learn? I need to show others the proper way to live.

I cannot allow an insult to pass. How dare anyone impugn me?

Being forgotten or disliked is not an option. I am well-liked and remembered by everyone.

If I am provoked, I have the right to respond in kind, don’t I?

My dignity must always remain intact, even in the most trying circumstances. I have my pride.

Teach me humility, Mother Teresa. The right way is not the easy way; it’s the hardest.

 

I am linking up with Amy at Live Life Well, Raisie Bay for Word of the Week, Susan B Mead for Dancing With Jesus, Embracing the Unexpected for Grace and Truth, Counting My Blessings for Faith ‘n Friends, and Morgan’s Milieu for Post, Comment, Love.

 

 

 

 

 

47 comments

  3. Awww, Laurie, humility is a life-long lesson for me. God has had me reading the book, Humility, by Andrew Murray. Such a good book. The only way we can truly live in humility consistently is to be under the leading of Jesus. And choosing to let Him work in and through us. I have definitely fallen into the situations and mindsets you’ve shared. May we both grow in this area.

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  6. What an example Mother Teresa was in so many areas!!! Especially humility.
    I find that when you ask people about themselves or to hear THEIR story, they open up so much more too – its a win win for everyone.

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    • I am finding the same thing. Asking people to share about themselves is always a good conversation starter. In my case, I ask my running friends about recent races. That always gets the conversation going!

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  7. I think I’ve experienced more humility in the last few years than I have in my entire life. There are certainly lessons to be learned. I found it so difficult to get past the insult and injuries and being forgotten by others. But after accepting that I played a part I soon realised that it’s okay not to be perfect, nobody is after all.
    Very thought provoking post Laurie (As usual)

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    • Yes, I can imagine, Anne. You learned those lessons in humility the hard way. The community of bloggers that you have built is amazing, however. Thank you for your insight!

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  8. These words are so, so very good! Thanks for sharing them, Laurie. Humility is one of the greatest traits yet one of the hardest. We need all the encouragement we can get, and this is great encouragement, friend.

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  9. I’m struggling with this list. I mean, what would happen if we were all humble? Every single one of us. I love hearing other people’s stories. Also what would they think if later they realised that I hadn’t helped them grow, by reacting to them? Maybe that I didn’t care. No. I’m afraid my road to humble is not straightforward. #wotw

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    • I love hearing others stories too. I think that humility comes in a matter of degrees. If we only tell our story to the exclusion of others’ than we are not humble. Our pride keeps us from learning. We do get to tell our story, we just need to recognize that we need to listen too.

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  11. Well, I disagree with most — and I agree with most of your points, too.

    A long time ago I wrote a post about being modest (it was a Wednesday word prompt). I actually do not like attention & am pretty modest. Do I think I know best for other people? Guilty as charged!

    There is always room to grow. 😊🙏🏻

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  12. I’ve always been so very humble,
    ready for laughter, ready for fun,
    but always staying ready to rumble,
    and always, always, I carry a gun.
    You can insult me to my face;
    go ahead, I won’t hit back,
    but you’ll need truckloads of grace
    if it’s my wife that you attack.
    I’ve got no stories, so I’ll hear yours,
    and I’ve got compassion, quite a lot.
    But protection of weakness here endures,
    and I am a practised shot.
    If you drop by, this flag you’ll see,
    the one that says, “Don’t tread on me.”

    #1 at Five Minute Friday this week.

    https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-dying-spouse-656-remember-me-thus.html

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  18. Man! That sure is a hard list to follow! I loved your, “I am fascinating!” comment! And I am sure that you are! LOL. Thank you for a very humble reminder to be humble! I know that I need reminding!

    Blessings,

    Amy

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  19. Well said Laurie – but it is impossible to hold ourselves to Mother Theresa’s standards as hard as we may try. My favorite quote by Mother Teresa is:

    “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

    If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

    If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

    If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

    What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

    If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

    The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

    Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

    In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

    ~Mother Teresa”

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  21. I am thankful that God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. He is humble, more humble than we could ever possibly realize. When He draws us through the wilderness the process has an amazing way of revealing just how proud we really are and how much we need to grow into humility. The sweet fragrance of brokenness is unmistakable. Mother Theresa was but one example of Christ’s humility coming through His flawed creation. Yes, the suffering we go through to gain humility is not an easy process but He is so very worth the sacrifice.

    Thank you for this reminder,

    Blessings,
    Homer Les
    http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca

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    • Yes, I love the concept of growing into humility. It is something we need to grow into, isn’t it? Mother Teresa was an excellent example of the humility modeled by Christ. I can only hope to follow them.

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