A few weeks ago my husband and I attended our twin granddaughters’ high school graduation. What a joy it was to watch them receive their diplomas. We are proud of their accomplishment and are cheering these special young women on. We’ll also be praying for them as they continue with their studies in preparation for their future.

The Amish have a word for pride. It’s called “hochmut,” and they feel, as the Bible says, that it’s wrong to be prideful or boastful about things. (Proverbs 29:23 & Luke 18:14). However, being boastful isn’t the same as feeling a sense of pride for one’s accomplishments or those of your children or grandchildren. I believe we can feel this sense of pride and still be humble, not haughty or bragging about our good deeds or those of others. By true humility and honoring the Lord in all that we do, we give glory to God and not to ourselves.

As I wrote in my journal today I thought of a poem I wrote some time ago, entitled, “A Humble Attitude.” The ending of the poem says: Lord, help me to have a humble attitude, not prideful, conceited, or vain. I want to be an example to others, never haughty, just humble and plain.

If you’d like to read the beginning of that poem, you’ll find it in my little devotional book called “A Celebration of the Simple Life,” which includes many inspiring thoughts from Amish Country.