Mommy Joys | Marriage, Motherhood, Life.

via "Gr8 Ppl, Gr8 Thoughts" on facebook

Stumbled upon this on my FB newsfeed, and I can't help but re-post for I strongly believe in what it says.  The desire for recognition is a sign of pride, of vanity... one of the seven deadly sins which most of us are guilty of. We're humans, we naturally yearn for approval, for praises, and for even a simple tap on the back saying that we're doing well.  But if this yearning turns into hunger, if the desire for esteem is what keeps us going, then that's when it becomes dangerous.

Sometimes, when I feel a longing to be appreciated, I try to remember a line I read from Tuesdays with Morrie.  It says,

“...if you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. 

They will look down on you anyhow. 

And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. 

They will only envy you. 

Status will get you nowhere. 

Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone.”

:)

Or of the above lines won't suffice, these Bible verses are very helpful too.

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Psalm 119:37

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Matthew 6:1-7 

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...

See? There's really no good in showing off. :)  We'll just tire ourselves out. *wink*

Xoxo,