Some may ask who does it means to be humble, and I can say that is to take the time to understand others and not place yourself above them. There were times when I thought that what was being taught to me was not as good as what I already knew. I have worked for three companies before entering the military and learned to be more productive and listen to others while still inventing ways to improve production. I was humble during this period and never argued with my superiors about how to do the job.
The point where I thought that I knew it all and didn't have to listen to someone else was in the military. Everything worked fine until one day I had an accident where a 750 pound cast iron bomb with arming devices installed fell off of a trailer because there was not metal plate at the end of the trailer, and the wood chock came off when the bomb rolled into it and fell over the end of the trailer with me holding the bomb fin trying to hold it up long enough for my co-workers who was having trouble installing another bomb in a bay, and their backs was to my rear. After yelling to get their attention and they could not hear me due to the noise of the bomb loader motor, I finally let the bomb slide down slowly hoping not to damage the nose arming device, which didn't help since it came apart like an egg shell. I stood there looking at the bomb then at my co-workers and thinking this thing was going to explode since some had done it without the arming devices in them.
While waiting for the bomb to explode or my co-workers to see what had happened my thoughts was of how I had defied the rules of dealing with these weapons safely just so we could finish the job faster. I guess you could say we were all a little cocky and put the rules behind us and put ourselves in danger to get our work done in a speedy manner. This changed my mind about the rules. I learned to be humble with those I worked for as long as it was safe after this incident. My superiors thought well of me and so did my co-workers as well. Being humble means to treat everyone the same way you want to be treated, and not to look down upon anyone.
Many of the people of the country I was in was familiar with American airmen and soldiers from both the air base and army bases there. Some Americans managed to go off base and get in trouble downtown due to their attitude and either was beat up, or killed by some of the locals. I knew the locals (kids, police, elderly, gangsters, club owners and staff) and even helped in solving problems off base after some of the staff of some clubs got to the place of depending on me to assist with problems with the American customers in the local clubs and restaurants. I never was robbed or threatened by anyone in any of the countries I was in except for two senior NCO's (Non Commissioned Officers) from the base where I was stationed. I never lost my temper, but did go to the base behind them after first calling giving a description of these men so they could be stopped and detained at the front gate. After a good talking to at the gate and reminding them of the time they have put into military service and reminding them that they could lose all of this because their alcohol told them to spit out all the hateful words which was tolerated.
The main thing one has to remember is Jesus was humble when he dealt with other people every day and is an example to us of how we should act. In James 4th chapter we are reminded that we too should be humble as Christians and just because we are in the world we don't have to act like those of the world. If we want to see Jesus again, we have to learn patience, love for your fellow man/woman and treat everyone the way you want them to treat you. We have to remember also that by loving our neighbors as we love God our life will have fuller meaning and God will bless us.
I feel blessed all the time, but when I look back on my life and think of the time as a teen when my brother took up a shotgun which our grandfather had left against a car loaded. Myself, and my two brothers was playing Cowboys and Indians and we had toy guns. My younger brother grabbed the shotgun and pointed it at me where I was kneeling down at the end of an old wagon which had oak boards as the tailgate where I was at. Upon looking up I saw the barrel pointed at me and I went down so fast as if my Guardian Angel pushed me down and I heard the gun go off. My other brother yelled at him that he had shot me, while I was now on the ground screaming and holding my head thinking that I was shot. It turned out that it was splinters from the oak boards which hit me in the face.
I was not mad at him since he wasn't responsible for the shotgun being left there loaded with the shell in it. After getting out of the military and working with the state prison system I learned more about being humble and acting as an example for others. I ran into inmates who didn't know anything about God or going to church. I felt that God had led me to this job to help others and to change their way without forcing them to change. There were times when I forgot to be humble when some tested my patience, but there was those who wanted to listen and did see a change in them. One whom I remember the most was a Columbian who was upset about his wife wanting to move to Florida where more people spoke Spanish which was familiar to her. He was upset since she would not be there to visit him regularly like she was on visitation day.
This guy had given up as he loved his wife, and knew his marriage would be totally over if she moved so far away. He was in Isolation when I met him taking the time to talk with the inmates in there and helping them if I could. I talked to this man, encouraging him to forget the idea of committing suicide like he wanted to. I gave him a bible and other religious material for him to read and telling him to trust in God to bless him until he got out. After talking with him regularly, and chatting with the prison chaplain about him I could see a change in him. We told him about the transfer program where inmates could be transfered to another state and he could possibly get to Florida where he could be with her. Upon being released he prayed and began working in the chapel on a regular basis. His prayers was answered as he was transfered to Florida where his wife could visit him there. He was happy when he told me and I asked if he thanked God, and he said: "Yes".
There were others whom I got to see change their ways while in prison and later seeing them outside and still encouraging them and to keep God in their lives. I was happy to see those change their life and give their lives to God. One man got out and became a minister and others became church members and became good citizens helping others in their communities. God blessed me to retire out of the prison system and is still blessing me all the time. By being humble to others I am blessed and my life gives those who want to pattern their life after mine and learning to give God the praise above all, showing love for our neighbors as we do God. Once you learn to give God credit for the good in our lives all the time we are being humble. Some only think of God when things goes bad for them, and there are those of us who want to give God the praise all the time.
This is my first bog and I just had to let people know a little about my life and where I come from. I was not raised in crime, and was in church from the time as a child. I attended many churches and got hooked on the Catholic Church in Michigan since one girl I was interested in was a member of this church. Her brothers who loved playing basket ball went to the church to play ball in their gymnasium. Upon entering the military I worked in the military chapel at the first duty station, then my second duty station. I back slided since there were so many women at my second duty station outside the main gate. After looking at where I was going I got back on track and back into the chapel. After getting out of the military I went back to several churches locally and is currently in one now as a deacon. I don't like to say that I am a Baptist, Catholic, or Methodist since I feel that we are all God's children and have to support each other and spread God's word like our Lord and Savior did. I hope that these words open up the eyes of those who are blind and show them the light. May you have a blessed day and the Holy Spirit be with you always.
Sidney
