Humble Pie

So I wrote two essays for two scholarships a few weeks ago. Got an invitation to the scholarship night last night and thought- great!- I got one. Woohoo! Maybe my writing is not as bad as I thought. There was a lot more pride involved than just these thoughts, unfortunately.

So Khanh and I get all dressed up and head to my school. As they begin announcing the scholarships they give the first one I tried for to another student, "Good for her," I think... among other sad thoughts. Many more for "Excellence" are awarded. Then they come up to one ambiguously titled and say it is for a first year married student- not on merit, no essay required, nothing. My name is called and I sheepishly walk to the front to accept and take a picture. Then the other scholarship I applied for is given to another student and the ceremony ends.

I feel funny- the kind of funny when you have false pride rise up in you only to be smashed in a most appropriate way.

I am so grateful for my unmerited gift of money. I am also grateful for my lesson and the way it points me to the grace given me through Christ- unmerited/ something I can't possibly boast in. My job becomes active as I walk, if only sheepishly, to accept it.

Thanks Khanh for being married to me and yay for free money and grace!