Don't Get Too Big For Your Britches

My mom used to say, "Kenton Reid, don't ever get too big for your britches." Hard to do since as a child I had to shop for my blue jeans in the "Husky" department at Sears. I came to realize she wasn't being literal of course. She meant for me to never forget where I came from. A little 2 bedroom, one bath house, my father built by hand, was my childhood home. We wore our clothes until they were worn out. The main requirement for  school clothes was durability not fashion. I wore my shoes with cardboard in the bottom and my jeans with patches on the knee. I'm not complaining. I didn't know anything else. So mom was just reminding me no matter how far ahead I got in life to not forget from whence I came. I have really tried to remember her advice.

This morning I attended a meeting of local pastors. We met at a meat and three known for their sign which usually includes the daily special and a Bible verse or spiritual truth. Things like, "Breakfast special w/gravy & biscuits. $4.25 Jesus Loves You!" I know some of these men, but not all of them. I respect them all. Some are retired from 50+ years of ministry. Others pastor obscure country churches. I would imagine all of their memberships together would not equal the size of our children's ministry at Dallas Bay. So why do I go? My momma's words come back to me, "Kenton Reid, don't ever get too big for your britches." And more than that, I would miss a tremendous blessing if I didn't go. Take this morning for example.

A distinguished 80 year old retired pastor gave his testimony. Just last year he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma cancer. I heard this humble servant of God tell how the Lord walked with Him every step of the way. I remember he said, "I didn't ask the Lord to go with me in this trial. I asked to go with Him through it all." He said that he saw his illness as a ministry opportunity equal to any church God had allowed him to lead. What a perspective! He witnessed to the love of God with every person who walked through the door of his hospital room. He shared how God had shown Him his will in His Word throughout the ordeal. He told us how one morning God led him to read the account of the woman who touched the hem of Christ's garment and was healed. He came to Dallas Bay to be with his son's family and I preached from that same verse. That was God's way of affirming that he would be healed. And he was. There he was standing in front of us testifying to the goodness of God as waitresses shoved breakfast specials across the table before him. The cancer is completely gone. What a blessing. And to think, if I would have gotten too big for my britches I would have missed it all.                    

Comments

[Amy Phillips]

Thanks for sharing, Pastor Ken! I needed this encouragement(and reminder!)today!!!