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Tag: humble

Upper Hand

Upper Hand

Upper Hand-two boys with alternating hands on the top of a batBefore we played ball during recess in elementary school, one player tossed the bat to another. Those two players alternated hands on the bat until they reached the top. The person with the upper hand had first choice for team players.

Upper hand means a higher or better position.  

We hold an advantage over another person or situation.

The position includes more:

  • Power
  • Control
  • Benefits

We find people with an upper hand in most of life.

  • Sports
  • Business
  • Games
  • Education
  • Families

Those people may be obvious right off the bat. Other times, we remain in the dark about who holds the most power.

An upper hand does not equal a superior person.

We are not:

  • What we do
  • Where we work
  • Who we know

To be the best we can be, we:

  • Love God.
  • Love one another.
  • Live as God created us to live.
  • Look for ways to serve rather than be served.

 “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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Down to Earth

Down to Earth

Down to Earth-wooded area, farm gate, leaves on groundWhere I grew up, most people like to be known as down to earth.

A down to earth person is a good ordinary person.

He does not:

  • Want to be fancy
  • Try to impress other people
  • Think he is better than others

Rather, he:

  • Stays humble
  • Is easy to like
  • Remains realistic
  • Speaks clearly and simply
  • Is as good as his word

 Sometimes a person needs to be brought down to earth.

That can mean one of two things:

  1. The person is too proud – too big for his britches.
  2. Or, he is not aware of or not accepting reality. He needs to face the facts.

Being brought down to earth can be hard but helpful.

No one enjoys the process. Yet, if a person can grow, the pain is worth the change.

I try to make this blog down to earth with simple, easy-to-understand language. Is it working? How can I improve? Please comment.

All of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other” (1 Peter 5:5 MSG).

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

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