These Are My JOTtings...

Talent: The Balance Between Pride & Humility

The biggest challenge we may face
in any kind of skill
Is how to cherish talent's place
and process HONOR's thrill.

We're told as children, "Don't be Proud!
Just thank them for their praise!"
I wonder how when heartbeat's loud
to not a high-hand raise.

To win some honors as I write
is Joy beyond compare.
To see a future blaze so bright
I'm living now right there!

Applause is heard for drama's gift.
I love to act and speak.
It gives me thrill their hearts to lift.
More chances I would seek.

Piano, tuba, voice I share,
at times awards receive.
The music's filled with greatest care.
The cheers I can't believe.

The disconnect with what I'm taught
is how to share the praise.
Receive in silence is the "ought"
throughout my living days.

This writers' website has a page
for giving daily brags.
Apparently, "It's all the rage!"
Just thank the folks in tags.

I've done this just the fewest times,
but still it feels quite odd
To pat myself on back in primes,
when that belongs to God.

To change the thought that this is pride,
referring t'ward my skill
Reveals that pride's reverse applied
not mentioning God's Will.

Humility is knowing who
we are by God's great Plan,
And speaking truth of all we do
brings betterment to Man.

But Pride is thinking much too much
of me and none of you
For bragging's just a daily crutch
and deprecating, too.

I'm seeing right, when looking through
the Eyes of One, Who made
My life with skills and giftings true.
He wants them ALL displayed.

by Jay O'Toole
on June 7th, 2017