Desiring a Heart of Humility

My brother and I had a fun day yesterday, the morning starting with paddle boarding.  Having never participated in the sport, we were able to eventually stand and make our way over relatively smooth gentle wind washed waters.  There were even occasional small swells.  I am glad that I can enjoy these times with my brother.  He said that it felt so good to be in and around the warm waters here and I agree.  It just seems part of us.  Though the goal of paddle boarding is the avoidance of water contact and the demonstration of solid balance, most of the entire time was honestly spent either in the water or with quaking legs struggling for balance.

Maybe this is one reason I like trying something new; it is good reminder and excursion into humility.  Often, others make something look easy, and as we embark on journey to join them suddenly discover there is need to invest time and willingness to fail in order to achieve satisfactory skill.  Sometimes I find it is a skill I would like to add to my repertoire, and occasionally once is enough.  But it is good to try.

Also, yesterday as we headed around the North Shore, I wanted to stop Kualoa park and fly a kite.  And we did.  While my brother walked the shore, my four line Revolution took wing over the green grass while the razor edge mountains, lightly dusted with clouds in azure skies stood as backdrop.  The beauty of the islands meets something I love at home (flying kites) and then it hit me.  As I let my brother attempt the art of four string kite flying, having the same difficulties I had as I learned to do so, in contrast to the previous experience of paddle boarding I was reminded of the investment made to become more accomplished in the sport of four stringed kite flying, having made good progress.

While my brother and I continued around the island, I occasionally think of the times my girl and I had made the same drive.  I am thankful Rick is here, or the car would be silent, me making my way alone if it were just mom and I here.  I am thankful for his input into my life, his wisdom and care.  Once again, he mentioned a book I remember him speaking of in the past, my forgetting to follow thorough, doing my usual Amazon immediate ordering because we were not in a place I was able to do so.  But this time, this morning, I looked and ordered, and it will arrive here in two days.  Amazing.

Every day, my morning starts with praise and thankfulness to God my feet hitting the floor for yet another day.  And every day feels like another paddle boarding experience.  I move through my days trying to achieve the grace and balance of those much more accomplished.  I have discovered that I need to accept where I am and who I am not worrying about what others see rather continue pressing toward the mark as God leads.

Just like paddle boarding for the first time, I continue having fun learning new things as I move through life exploring new skills God may want to press into me, or not, for there is more 'stuff' to do than I have time for, and, probably paddle boarding is one.  But how many can say that in the dead of winter, where snow is finding deposit across the mainland, they find themselves standing on large boards in the balmy breezes of windward O'ahu?  Okay, falling into warm waters while trying to stand on large boards in balmy breezes of windward O'ahu.  And I am okay with it, desiring a heart of humility as I learn new things, needing continual guidance even in things I have accrued a modicum of skills, for I have so much more to learn.