For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
– Psalm 149:4 NLT

He will yet fill your mouth with laughing…
– Job 8:21 NKJV

We’ve all had our humbling moments, but I’m convinced there are some things in life that can only happen to me.

I was so excited about my new part-time job at a law firm that when I got the monthly list of birthdays and anniversaries I decided to send out cards. I immediately sent my heartfelt sentiments to the gentleman who hired me congratulating him and his wife on 27 years of marriage. He thanked me but explained that I sent a wedding anniversary card and he was single. It was his service anniversary with the company. He rolled with laughter while thanking me for marrying him off so quickly. I kidded him back that he could just take that one to the bank, but I was mortified!

Then one day my car needed maintenance so my mechanic brought me to work early. I ate my lunch at a picnic table outside and determined to take advantage of the extra time by touching up my toenails before writing another blog. Just as I started, the bottle slipped out of my hands and exploded on the concrete splattering hot pink nail polish in a zig zag pattern all over my foot. The design complimented the crisscross straps of my high heals creating a beautiful abstract painting on the canvas of my skin. Of course, I had no way to drive anywhere to buy nail polish remover so I went on to work where I sat at a front reception desk and delivered mail to attorneys looking like I just walked out of my art studio. How humiliating!

I thought to myself, “There has to be a lesson in this!” Well, a joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Maybe that’s the point. I had been so stressed out. One month into a new job my supervisor had a “talk” with me about not discussing religion or politics at work and asked me to stop sending notes. The call about the card lightened up the situation. The next week I was having car trouble and spent several days deliberating about whether to repair my SUV or buy a different car. I could barely think straight. That’s when I decided to start a new fad with my Picasso foot. Ironically these blunders filled my heart with laughter, which helped relieve the built-up tension.

My sister thought the nail polish incident topped my list of bloopers and assured me that she intends to keep me around for entertainment value. In fact, I think that really is the whole purpose of every hilarious yet humiliating circumstance. God likes to laugh! It works out much better if we laugh with Him. Every once in a while, as I’m going about my mundane routine, the Lord reminds me of some silly situation. I giggle to myself a bit and keep going, but I think it delights Dad’s heart to see us laughing.

And maybe, just maybe, this is how we get the victory. When the enemy condemns us we can take up our crown of humility and laugh. Is it a coincidence that the nail polish made a fun design all over my foot? God has given each of us beautiful feet to bring good news and to crush Satan (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15; 16:20).

How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter!
– Song of Solomon 7:1

So next time you encounter a hilariously humiliating situation at work just LOL and pick up your humble crown as you rejoice in victory knowing that Jesus is laughing with you!

– Chérie Blair