Living Stones / June 22 2007

( Church Planting In Croatia )

http://valjak.blogspot.com/

Pride is so interesting as there are two sides to it. A short while ago someone referred to me in a way in public that made me feel very unimportant and actually what they said was not true. But what God was concerned about was not so much whether the person was stating things correctly but rather my reaction. My pride wanted to jump and make a correction. My heart was saying don't they realize who I am ........ etc etc In that sense Pride is dreadful as it places so much emphasis upon our humanity and our flesh.

In another sense pride has a positive aspect to it. My boys have done very well in school and Luka has done so well against all odds in qualifying for university with grades that are stunning. So as his mother I am proud of him. The difference is that with this kind of pride I am not focused upon myself, despite the fact that actually I have had to bully, beg and blackmail him along life's way. Incidentally, my surname Vlajak means rolling pin, I can see the cartoon in my head as I write............

Then there is another aspect of pride also positive. In our Church-plant we have one sister who has had a terrible time with disc trouble in her back. She went for surgery and has spent months trying to get better. The pain has become worse but the hospital said there was no more money in her case file to get further tests. Incredibly, through a Christian doctor we were able to get an MRI without cost. The problem is she has no money for rehabilitation. Our small Church raised nearly $350 to give her as a gift for rehab.

You hear stories like this in America, but not here. There simply is no culture of giving within our churches. As I reached out and gave her a card and envelope last Sunday on behalf of our small fellowship my heart swelled with pride. We did this on our own. We have turned love into action. The Angels watched, nodded and then smiled. This is something to be proud of.

Anita Valjak