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Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Pride (04/12/04)
TITLE: THE RiGHT KiND OF PRiDE
By Linda C. Smith
04/18/04
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What have _ gotten myself into? _ thought about the topic “prIde” and the more _ thought about it, the more _ wanted to tackle it. _ thought of different ways _ could approach the subject. Maybe, _ could write a poem, because that is what _ do best. Then _ read the rules. _ thought of all the effort and time _ would have to spend to write a poem between 150 and 1000 words. _ quickly gave up on that idea. Then _ thought of this tittle and it captivated me until, _ just had to start working on it. Just what is the right kind of pride? _ will start with the PRiDe of doing my best whether it is at work or in my home. Regardless of the duty, if it is a pleasant task, or not my favorite chore, if _ know in my heart, _ have given forth my best effort, can _ have PRiDE in a job well done? When _ see the flag of the United States of America, waving in the breeze, can _ have PRiDE that _ live in this great nation? When my children live out the principles _ have taught them, can _ feel PRiDE in the amazing accomplishment of raising them right? What if _ should win this challenge, can _ have PRiDE in what _ have written? In the senses of the word PRiDE meaning self-respect, fulfillment, satisfaction, enjoyment, and possibly self-esteem, perhaps it would be acceptable to have PRiDE. In the connotation of prIde depicting vanity, glory, haughtiness, conceit, arrogance, or egotism, GOD’s word says in I Peter 5:5, “… be clothed with humility: for GOD resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” Even in the possibly acceptable PRiDE, _ must be cautious to avoid stepping over a very fine line. Ephesians 2:10 reads “For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (KJV) Is it not my CHRISTian responsibility in obedience to HIM to always do my best, whatever the task, and to raise my children according to the precepts of HIS word? What did _ do to arrange my birth into this great nation? Would that PRiDE be better replaced with thankfulness to GOD for granting that privilege? What if _ write something of merit or prize? Did not GOD give me the ability to speak, to write, and to put meaningful thoughts on paper? Does it just happen that in the center of the word pride is the letter “i”? Throughout this essay, in jest, I over exaggerated the use of the word “I” and the letter “i” in the word “pride”, but it is truly the desire of my heart to have the right perspective, not “I” but CHRIST in every aspect of my life.