“Pride Cometh Before the Fall” by April Boddie

The Bible says in Proverbs 16:18 that Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

This is what life taught me about this verse…….

Have you ever been totally minding your business and an opportunity just falls in your lap?

This summer that is just what happened to me and my family.

I was not looking for anything to do. As a matter of fact, I was totally content raising my kids, catering here and there, and playing quite nicely with my family and spiritual friends. 

I was not looking for a job or anything else to fit into my already super-tight Sports/Hands-on-Mom schedule. Then…. On a hot July day, I missed a call from The Sergeant. This was not new, but what was unexpected is she left a message. In her message, she informed me that “I needed to come to an interview.” Huh? My question was “For what?” Seeing as though I hadn’t applied for anything more than a free jet ski at the mall, I was lost! However, there was an unrest in my spirit so I went to see the who, what, whens, and wheres of the situation. 

The interview was the following day and not only did I make it but was offered the job on the spot. But the pay, the pay — well, let’s just say it was a very modest amount and a far cry from the figure I had in my head. Immediately the pride welled up! My vain and conceited demons started having a screaming fit. Child please, you have way too much experience for that pay. Humph, you have an associate degree in CUA/HSP; this isn’t even a lateral move, Sis! You are better than this, April. Really? Was I above honest work? Am I better than a gift from God based on my perception of its worth?

My grandma used to say “Don’t look a gift horse in its mouth.” Well, I was unflinchingly staring clean down its throat. How dare I?  I asked that kind gentleman to give me 24 hours to speak with my husband and get back in touch with them. I came home both excited and perturbed by the news as I waited for my hardworking husband to come in from work. It was a hot, humid, Huntsville day so when Chad entered the house drenched with sweat, even this news wasn’t enough to stop him from heading straight to the shower.

I sat there and waited on my nice cool couch in my nice cool house. My heart broke to God’s idea of me owning being a helpmate to him. Chad, my biggest supporter, my sounding board, my chef, my chauffeur, my love, my husband. I was so convicted knowing that he goes to work faithfully to provide for his family and never complains, but with two high school seniors, he could use a little help too.  The word had already told us that God was a present help in times of need but when big ole pride gets in the way, it’s hard to see ANYTHING, even the big bold word.

God provided just that as he always does present help in a time of our need. My Lily in the Valley, Ram in the Bush, my Staff had opened up a window and poured out a blessing, but my pride was ready to shut it right back up. I told Chad about the job and he was not too excited about the idea of me working and insisted that he would manage. Pride again rose its familiar head this time in my husband, but I convinced him to just let me give it a try. So we did.

Fast forward into one month on the job: engine trouble on two cars unexpected costs. My God and my little job provided. Fast forward, two months into my employment: I missed another call and this time a picture message. My husband had fractured and severely sprained his ankle. He is put on strict work restrictions, his pay was affected and he couldn’t do the side work that had really been the glue holding the family budget together. Again my God and my job provided. Due to his injury being on the job we were stuck waiting on Workman’s Comp, and if you’ve ever dealt with Workman’s Comp, you know that they are just not in a hurry for ANYTHING. Don’t you know that God is an on time God? Guess what: we never missed a meal or bill because we saved our extra coins that God gave us. We had unexpected income at our discretion for our unexpected situation. We overcame our pride and have managed to survive this momentary fall — to God be the glory.

I had no way of seeing what was in store for me when I got that phone call, but my God did. God knows my past and is already in my future, moving all the pieces in the best interest of me and my family. Bonus blessing: in my position, I am blessed to work with children from 3-6 years old.  Being with them has made me enjoy the aliens that live in my house, AKA teen boys. Daily I’m reminded that just yesterday they too were my babies. My heart has become nostalgic at just how fast the time has flown. My mantra has changed from “I only have to do this one more year” to “I get to do this one more year.”

My situation hasn’t changed, but the way I look at it surely has.

I’m grateful.

I pray that when pride wells in your soul that you are not only able to recognize it but to call it out and defeat it with humility.

Your biggest accomplishment and breakthrough are on the other side of your pride, your vanity, your judgment, your puffed-up haughty spirit and your holier-than-thou, fake persona.

My advice is this: Stay humble, so when you fall due to the unexpected — like we all do — that you will not land on the sharp dagger of pride.

No matter where you are today, make a decision to enjoy that season.

Go and do as unto the Lord with hope and expectation of the Lord.

Love freely and keep your ears open to what the good Lord is trying to teach you because there is surely a rich lesson and every blessing.

Prayer~

Father I thank you for Your provision over my life.
Thank You for Your patience with me and Your abundance of grace for Your inadequate daughter. Lord I praise You for the hallelujah and the help me days.
I ask that You continually search me and always remove all that does not line up with the word and Your ways. I rebuke the spirit of pride that hides in my heart and I ask the You perfect my humility daily.
May I always do what love does and that is sacrifice.
Protect my family and keep us close to one another and even closer to You.
In the Name of Jesus I pray,
Amen

About the Author ~ April Boddie

April is a Huntsville native, who is a mother of three and a mama to many. When she was a little girl she wanted to be a race car driver. Now she races around the Tennessee Valley catering to others needs. The joy of the Lord is her strength, and His grace abounds in her life. April’s hope is in Christ and her heart is to serve and love. On any given day you might find her repotting plants, preparing meals and making old things new. April has a love for words and melodies. An undiscovered comedian, she finds the joy of laughter in the darkest of circumstances. Her favorite quote is “If you don’t like something change it and if you can’t change it,  change your attitude.” Dr. Maya Angelou

Tags: April Boddie, Family, humility, jesus, Love, Our City On A Hill, pride, sacrifice