Sometimes I think we have completely forgotten how to be humble. So I asked myself, what does it mean to be humble? I looked it up, and I reviewed the etymology, “from the ground, i.e., humus.” For the language lovers listening—how mundane. But on the other hand, how profound. From the dirt, just like every other creature on the planet, we are all mundane from birth until death.

As I pondered the world I live in, I realized that the humble are among us. They simply disappear in a crowd unless we intentionally search for them. They are quiet, almost invisible, and small- intentionally. They move among us whispering, not about themselves, but to check on others, to ask questions like “are you alright?” and to thank others. They do not point out wrong and shout, but they do ask, “Can I help?” They do clean up messes, hug liberally, and provide nourishment for the stomach and the soul. They show up. They look with both eyes open, seeing the hurt and ugliness in the world, and yet seeking out the good and beautiful that sits waiting amongst it all. They hear the shouts, the hurt, and the anger, yet instead of yelling back, they shed a tear, sweep up the broken pieces, offer a kind word, and ask if they can be of help. They break the bread, offer to run the errand, and give up a seat. They do not wear their pride like armor to protect themselves from perceived slights. They bear their hands, not arms, in order to do the work Jesus asks of us in the service of God’s creation.

For all the imperfections we see in the world, let us not forget that it is nothing more than a mirror of our own humanness and imperfections. Why do humans feel the need to point out imperfections and flaws? When we see someone stumble, do we stand by and say, “if they had been paying attention, they would have seen that stumbling block?” Or, do we help them up from their fall, ask if they are ok, and help them push the stone from the path so that we do not stumble in the future?

We should all realize how little value there is in spending our time focusing on the dead ends and hollow words of our mundane humanness and imperfections. Let us direct our attention and others to what can be done in love. At each moment, shouldn’t we choose a next step that draws us closer to The Way—a step that can help us and others focus on what is of value? For the humble among us quietly share the love of God by focusing on what really matters.

God, help us to accept that we are mundane. In humility, may we accept that we are all of this earth and show us how to value what matters. May we clear paths, offer support, and encourage those around us. Help us to heal wounds, not create them. In quietness and confidence, please guide us with the strength that needs no pride, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week.

If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love.

Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Friendship is an easy word to use when life is calm. It becomes harder to define when circumstances change, and the structures that once held relationships in place fall away.

Over more than twenty years of caring for our disabled daughter, I’ve learned that some relationships fade not because people are unkind, but because endurance asks more than sympathy. When a situation becomes long-term instead of temporary, love is tested quietly.

When Hannah moved into a nursing home last August, many relationships naturally shifted. Nurses who had cared for her in our home for years were no longer part of our daily lives. That was expected. Roles had changed.

But one nurse continued to come to Hannah’s room even after she had no professional obligation to do so. She washed Hannah’s hair, brushed it slowly, sat with her, and talked with her. She wasn’t doing that for us. She was doing it for Hannah.

Hannah could not communicate in typical ways, but she was clear about how she felt around the people who cared for her. On those days, she was visibly calmer and at ease. Her body told the story her words could not. She knew she was being loved.

That care was not transactional. Hannah could not repay it. And yet the relationship was real and mutual. The nurse knew the difference her presence made. Hannah knew she was safe. Something meaningful moved in both directions, even though it looked different on each side.

Proverbs says that a friend loves at all times, and that a brother is born for adversity. It’s not drawing lines between friendship and family. It’s reminding us that love proves itself by staying.

Sometimes, family is defined by genetics. Sometimes it is discovered through faithfulness. Often, it is recognized only when obligation has ended, but love has not.

Father, thank you for love that shows up quietly and keeps showing up. Help us notice the gifts of presence we’ve been given, and shape us into people who offer the same to others. May our love reflect yours. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Donn King.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

God is love. This simple truth is the heart of the Christian faith. God is love, and today’s beautiful and often quoted scripture from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church describes how love shows itself in action. It can help us discern God’s activity in the world. If we substitute God for love, we can be reminded that God is patient and God is kind. God does not boast, and is not proud. God does not dishonor others and is not self-seeking. God is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I find this so comforting. It blesses me to pause and consider the tenderness, patience, and strength with which God loves me and all of those whom I love. God is love. It is a simple truth to which I cling. But simple does not mean easy. Simple can be challenging. Simple can be downright hard.

Whoever does not love does not know God. And that means that if I am trying to live as a Christ-follower, I should also be able to describe myself and my actions with these words. They teach me not only what love is, but how to love. What happens if I substitute my name for the word love in this passage? Is Greta patient? Is she kind? Does she envy, or boast? Does she dishonor others? Is she proud, self-seeking, easily angered? Or, here’s a tough one: does she keep a record of wrongs? Does she delight in evil, or rejoice with the truth? Can I say with conviction, Greta always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres?

Today and every day, may I be challenged to love as God loves. May I open my heart to make more room for God, that I might be perfected in love.

Dear God, you are perfect love. Forgive us when we love imperfectly, and transform us to love as you do, that the world might know you through us. In Christ’s holy name, amen.

Today’s devotion was written and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Let’s listen to some words of lament from two people discussing anger toward God:

Our prayer is from Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight!”

Narrated by Ralphine Hood and Bernice Howard. Produced and recorded by Sam Barto.

The fourth chapter of 1 John, is the fullest discussion concerning the love of God that we find in our Bible. It is a richer and more challenging message than is to be found in 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “Hymn of Love.” It gives us a definition of God: “God is love.” Think about that. From the beginning of time, people have tried to describe and understand God. The writer of 1 John sums it up in those three words, “God is Love.” Because this is the very nature of God, we have the absolute assurance that God loves us. These are not just words of affirmation but also words of challenge. For the writer of 2 John this means that God is love, we must love one another. All of us who take the name Christian must understand that loving others is not a choice but our duty if we are to faithfully follow our God who is love.

We know how hard it is to love everyone. Let’s face it, there are people out there who, to our way of thinking, are unlovable. They have hurt us or ones we love. Others think or believe in ways we see as wrong. Then there are those who, by their choices, seem to have misery and brokenness follow them. But we are, as followers of Christ, to love them anyway.

When we do strive to love all people, this passage of scripture says some amazing things happen.

The first of these is that God lives in us. God knows how hard it is for us to love some people, and so we don’t have to try to do it all by ourselves. The God of love abides in us, giving us the power and strength to love. Think about it. Don’t we all want God to live deep inside us, helping us and bringing light to all of our lives? If God is Love, then the only way to make that happen is to love others. Loving others opens our hearts and lives to more fully welcome God into our lives.

Second, as we do this, God’s love matures within us. Loving as God wishes is a skill that is to be learned. And like all skills, the more you practice it, the better you get at it.

Finally, others, because of that love, glimpse God. No one can see God, but as we live out the command to love, there are glimpses of God for the world to see. The sure sign of God’s continued dwelling among us is our love for one another.

As I examine my responses towards people over the past few days, I see where I could have done better. I was not always loving others as God loves me. Those individuals did not, I am guessing, glimpse the light of God’s love in my actions. So this day and every day, I am going to live and love in such a way that God’s love will live in me, enlighten me, and grow in me.

O dearest God, you are the source of all love. When our actions betray your loving presence, forgive us. Strengthen us so that we can do better. We know your love is a gift not to hold but to pass on to others through our actions so that they can see you more fully and come to know you more deeply. Guide us and help us to love. AMEN.

This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Cliff McCartney.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose...

I believe the kind of love spoken of in both of these scriptures is Agape love—love which is selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial. It is rooted in goodwill and action rather than feeling.

I have heard it said that it is better to have a friend nearby than a brother far away. I have no brothers, just brothers-in-law, some 500 miles away. As our family has grown, I now have sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law. I know my brothers-in-law would show up if they were needed and lived closer. I also feel that I could call on my sons-in-law if I needed help with almost anything.

My observation and experience have been that women develop closer friendships than men. There are surely exceptions, especially where there is a strong common interest like a love of fishing, golf, or some other passion. However, men seem less willing to show any signs of weakness or vulnerability to other men.

When we say “love is a verb,” it certainly implies action of some kind. I believe it means an intentional commitment to the well-being of others without expecting anything in return.

I have had individuals just show up and offer to help in situations where help was obviously needed. After my father died many years ago, a friend called and said, “Emmit, when are we going to shear the sheep?” There is not one person in a thousand who would make that offer. While not the most unpleasant job, it is very physically demanding. This is especially true if one is not physically fit, as you must put your body in unusual positions for a sustained period. I will never forget that phone call.

I hope you have a good friend. They may be in your family or not. They need to be someone you can trust with some of your deepest thoughts, hurts, or feelings. If you don’t have one, maybe the best way to start is by being a good friend and sharing Agape love with others.

Father, we pray that all can have a good, trusted friend. We know that You are always a friend, but it probably helps to have one with skin on. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Emmit Rawls.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

This is an eye-opening scripture for me. As I have been thinking and reflecting on it these last couple of weeks, memories have been flooding in of people I have known and know who serve humbly often. First, it is important to think about what a humble servant actually looks like. They are not proud, don’t believe they are better than others, respectful, modest, gentle, and unpretentious. Admirable qualities, though they don’t always come naturally. In James 4:6, we read that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” I believe that humility is a sign of strong character and is often shown in empathy. Humble servants also appreciate their blessings and our thanks.

As I have been reflecting, I am more aware of those who modeled being humble servants in my life. Two of the most humble people I ever encountered were my parents. Though I didn’t recognize it fully at the time, looking back, it is very clear. Yes, I knew they were quietly serving others even through small gestures over the years. My mother worked full-time outside the home (most mothers did not at that time), and yet she found time to serve. She baked cookies for our neighbors, created and made crafts for fundraisers for a local organization, knitted blankets, beanies, and dog sweaters for the people she knew and for those she might never meet. Her job was in social services, and she helped so many people. It did not matter who they were, what the situation was, nor how very different their ideas or values might be. She loved our community and was always working to make it safer and more hospitable. She sat with those in need, comforted, and assisted in any way she could.

My Dad was also very humble and very much a servant. He was always available to any household on our street – no matter the need. He taught us to see the person behind the story and how their circumstances just might be causing issues for them. He spent so much time with the neighborhood kids, playing ball and assisting with our math homework. When I first married, I discovered some of the quiet services he provided. He went to a local nursing home and read to a very sweet lady who was almost blind. While the reading was a gift, more important was the time he spent with her sharing his love each week. He knew about his fellow workmates, their families, and their ups and downs. He actively prayed for them and helped whenever he could. He wrote letters to his siblings, his friends, those he met when attending banking classes, his kids, and others. He never said a word, but these acts of service were revealed later.

My special mentor, an older woman, also served humbly and quietly. No task was too small, unimportant or beneath her. She loved so deeply, and somehow, she always seemed to know what to do. There were many days we spent merely sharing a meal that became moments of real grace as she listened to a much younger person struggling with life. She would never take credit for the many things she did behind the scenes, all done out of love with a servant’s heart. She connected people to each other for the purpose of sharing faith and hope.

And then, my neighbor. He’s just amazing. He goes to work in the very early hours of the morning and returns in mid-afternoon. Quietly, we often find our trash can returned to its proper place, our leaves blown off the driveway and side yard. He keeps an eye on the house, moving packages onto the porch when it rains; he bakes cookies to share and spends time chatting with us. He is often found helping the other neighbors as well with mowing, tree limbs, and whatever might happen. It’s just his nature. He is kind, humble, and operates from his faith. He expects no thanks or pat on the back. He’s just following his servant heart.

There are many others I might share, but there isn’t enough time in any day. The reality is that all 4...