Wisdom of the Humble

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 221- Today, I am grateful for the wisdom of the humble.  

Someone once said, "If you want to understand life again, talk to a 4 year old or an 84 year old. This picture captures that perfectly. My cousin, Cheryl Wheeler, found this image and sent it to me. I am so grateful she didn't pitch it. 

I was able to take this really over-exposed image and bring it back to a real memory. This image is my Grandpa Harry Lindgren (born in 1989) and my little brother Matthew (born in 1971). 

Grandpa Harry was painting the outside of the windows. Matthew wanted to be with him, but he was too little  and too "helpful" to not end up in the paint or in the barn unsupervised. This picture speaks volumes about the relationship between these two. 

"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" -Job 12:2

"At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." -Matthew 11:25

Then, my niece, Ciara, shared a story with me today. It had a picture of a farmer in his overalls, but it made me remember this family photo, and I had to use it. Here is the story: 

A pastor asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast.

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going.

The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned. 

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one to feel uncomfortable. 

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen." 

Such a simple wisdom. Such a beautiful prayer. 

Today, I am grateful for the wisdom of the humble.