A Humble Spirit

In his own eyes, Mike was the most popular guy around.

"A lot of women are gonna be totally miserable when I marry."

"Really?" said his date. "And just how many women are you intending to marry?"

What passes for conceit in many people is often just a plea for attention. A poor sense of self may cause one to want to be the prominent star in every constellation. Humility, on the other hand, does not require that one shine LESS brightly than others, simply that all be given opportunity to shine.

That great African-American educator Booker T. Washington exemplified the beauty of a humble spirit.

One day as Professor Washington was walking to work at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he happened to pass the mansion of a wealthy woman.

The woman, who did not recognize him, called out, "Hey you! Come here! I need some wood chopped!" She was a product of her culture and simply perceived him as a black man who was there to do her bidding.

Without a word, Dr. Washington peeled off his jacket, picked up the ax, and went to work. He not only cut a large pile of wood, he also carried the firewood into the house and arranged it neatly.

He had scarcely left when a servant said to the woman, "I guess you didn't recognize him, ma'am, but that was Professor Washington!"

Embarrassed and ashamed, the woman hurried over to Tuskegee Institute to apologize. The great educator humbly replied: "There's no need to apologize, madam. I'm delighted to do favors for my friends!"

The professor taught a marvelous lesson that day. He felt no need to convince her that he, too, was a bright star in the constellation.

Author Ken Blanchard puts it this way: "Humility does not mean you think less of yourself. It means you think of yourself less."

Thanks to James Moore for the story of Dr. Washington in ARE YOU STANDING ON THE PROMISES OR SITTING ON THE PREMISES? (Nashville: Dimensions for Living) .