Good and Bad Pride

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding."  Matthew 6:1 (The Message)

Most of the trouble

 in the world is caused 

by people wanting to 

be important 

.- T.S. Eliot

In general, pride is at

 the bottom 

of all great mistakes. 

- John Ruskin

Pride can be ugly.  I feel the ugliness when I find my mouth or heart wanting to cry out with self-awareness and exaltation.  

Pride builds up walls.  Especially in relationships when our lifting of self puts down someone else.

Pride just really sours life if we allow it to give us a big head, a loud mouth, and a tall standing in our own eyes.  

I want my kids to be proud of who they are, and what they have become or done in their lives, without the ugly kind of pride that makes them look ugly to others.

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to be careful not to practice their righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If they do, they will have no reward from you.  You have gifted them in beautiful ways, but may they always be careful to use those gifts to glorify you instead of themselves.  May your Holy Spirit tug at their hearts, when they start becoming prideful, and remind them of your call to humility.  May Alyssa and Kyle always shine you in their words and actions, and in the depths of their hearts as they find success in their life, and give you all the credit and praise.