Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

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June 30, 2014 · 4 Comments

Joyful Generosity

Summer of Joy

Do you ever find yourself nit-picking your friends, your children, your husband?  There are definitely times when I can be a little snarky with my husband.  When he gets home, he leaves a trail from the front door to the kitchen of the mail, his work out clothes, his lunch dishes…you name it.

This is funny, coming from him, because he is so particular about other things, like being on time.  He loves to say, and have my kids chime in with him (in unison): “If you’re not 10 minutes early, you’re late!” 

Oh, the irony: I like things neat and he likes to be on time.  But he is a bit messy and I am almost never early…in fact, a little too often, I am a few minutes late.  How the Lord must laugh at the two of us.

It is easy to get your nose out of joint over small things.  And it is even easier to get sidetracked over the sharp barbs of bigger things.  We are most vulnerable with those we love.  But what is really at stake in our tender hearts, I wonder? Pride Thomas Aquinas

[Pride] is opposed not only to humility, but also to magnanimity (Thomas Aquinas).

Magnanimity is my new favorite fancy word.  Let it roll around your mind a bit.  Try to say that word 5 times.  Or even twice, because that’s hard.  It means generosity. Thomas Aquinas says that when we are full of pride, we are lacking humility.  We all kind of knew that already, right?  But let’s get acquainted with the truth about humility.  Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less (C.S. Lewis). cslewishumility Humility is important in our relationship with the Lord…because we must think of Him, more than of ourselves, in order to love and obey Him.  Jesus did that: Though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:6-8). But humility is important in our relationships with other people too.  It allows us to be magnanimous, or generous.

When we are filled with pride, we cannot be generous with others.

Do you find yourself disapproving of another mother’s parenting? Pride.  Do you find yourself annoyed at the slowness of a new cashier or waiter?  Pride.  Do you criticize others frequently?  Pride.  Do you resent having to wash the same Camelbak everyday for the man bringing home the bacon?  Pride again. (sorry Sweetie!). Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).  Pride is a trap.  Pride is a lie.  It makes us feel big when we think these small thoughts.  But these thoughts don’t honor God and are very unbecoming of us.  Our thinking becomes smaller and smaller, as pride takes up residence and pushes love out.  Our clenched teeth and clenched fists don’t allow us to take hold of the truth.

God shaped hole

There is freedom in humility and generosity, because it is freedom from sin.


Where there is freedom from sin, there is joy.


We have to lay down Pride to be free.  We have to see it in ourselves and run from it.  Pointing out the flaws in others and not seeing them in ourselves is the danger zone.  What keeps me humble is to realize that any sin against a person is a sin against God first.

So before I criticize someone else or exalt myself, I remember that God is offended by that.  And if I forget, I can repent, because He is forgiving like that.  We should all be forgiving like that. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:1-3).

Walking in freedom allows us to Abide in Relationship with Others.  Please let us know, are you walking in the freedom that Jesus purchased for you during this, our #SummerofJoy?   If not, what’s holding you back?

Also, if you haven’t already, be sure to download this week’s printables from the Google Drive!

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Comments

  1. Jodi says

    June 30, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Great words today, my friend! Very timely 🙂

    Reply
    • Britta says

      June 30, 2014 at 3:05 pm

      Thank you Jodi! 🙂 It is always so good to hear from you.

      Reply
  2. Courtney says

    June 30, 2014 at 8:35 am

    Happy Monday, Britta! Thank you for teaching me a new word, although I am having trouble saying it five times in a row! I needed this gentle reminder about humility. This weekend I’ve been “Debbie Downer” and “Negative Nancy”! I needed a reminder to be patience with others, as God is patient with me. 🙂

    Reply
    • Britta says

      June 30, 2014 at 3:10 pm

      Happy Monday to you too Courtney! I struggle with complaining too, but it seems like it only makes me more negative…I have found that there is no such thing as “venting” to relieve stress. All it does it add gasoline to the flames. Resulting in…more stress. I pray that you will be gentle with yourself first (so you can be with others) and remember how well you are loved. Being repentant is totally important. But accepting God’s love and forgiveness completes the cycle. 🙂 Hugs from here!!!

      Reply

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In my typical social media introvert fashion, I re In my typical social media introvert fashion, I realize I didn’t share Gracie’s post on my feed at the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️
We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️ We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️
When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
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