When TBC was 4 or 5 years old, there was a guest soloist in church who was so striking. She was statuesque and beautiful and sang as if the roof would blow off the sanctuary. TBC watched from the second pew and – like everyone else – couldn’t take her eyes off the soloist.
On the way home in the car, in our weekly review of worship, I asked TBC, “What did you think of the singer?” and her response became one of our family sayings:
“She thought she was the prettiest girl in the room.”
TBC continues to have an uncanny ability to read people to this day.
My usual prayer of confession on Sunday mornings is “Please forgive me for making things about myself.” I secretly want to be the prettiest girl in the room even though I also don’t want to be the prettiest girl in my most pious moments.
Every day we can watch people: coworkers, politicians, Academy Awards winners, and frenemies who think they are the prettiest girl in the room. I’ve seen many a pastor – male and female but mostly male – who believe they are the prettiest girl in the room. (Sorry, guys.)
Like most of my blog posts, this one is directed squarely at myself: let’s strive not to be the prettiest girl in the room. The world is not about us. Our work is not about us (especially professional ministry.) And Thanksgiving next week will not be about us.
Nobody baked your favorite pie? Don’t pout about it. Eat more sweet potatoes.
We have Biblical illustrations about people trying to be the prettiest girl in the room and they are challenged about that. This is an especially good time to remember that life is bigger than we are and while we might be statuesque and good-looking and blessed with a beautiful voice, we are not the center of the universe. Not today or any day.
Have a lovely weekend, all you Children of God.
A Church for Starving Artists 