By HAROLD KELLER

Over the last few days, I’ve had a few real humbling experiences. However, during my lifetime, I’ve been humiliated more than I’ve been humbled. I’ve heard it said that humility is truth, and I believe that it is. If that’s a fact, being humiliated is not being able to accept the truth because of a proud and arrogant spirit.

As I get older, I would like to think I’ve matured a little and am able to handle the truth without getting puffed up and allowing myself to be humiliated.

Now, let’s get back to my recent humbling experiences.

Wednesday, I met up with a man whom I’ve known for a long time. He laughed and said, “Keller, your hair is really thin!” I thought, “The Bible says that God has numbered every hair on our heads. Now, His job will be a little easier.”

Early Friday morning at the post office, I was feeling pretty good and this man whom I’ve known came in and before I had a chance to greet him, he said, “Kelly, you’re getting fat,” and he also laughed as he looked over my physical frame.

Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, a young man that I had ministered to at a drug treatment center, called and left a message for me to return his call. When I did, his older sister answered the phone. I identified myself and she said, “Mr. Keller, my brother really loves you. You’ve made a big impression on him. He said that for a white man, you’re really nice.” Without taking a breath, she continued, “My brother said you have a lot of wisdom.” (Nobody ever accused me of that, but it felt good to hear it.) Then the shocker! (Keep in mind that I’m 67 years old.) She said, “My brother told me that you’re pretty old, between 75 and 80.” Wow! I don’t fear reaching 75 or 80, but whatever age people are, we think we look good for our age.

The good news is that I handled each humbling experience very well. I was able to laugh at myself at the expense of three people who, regardless of their motives, were telling the truth. My hair is thin, I’m overweight and I’m getting old.

The Bible says that the truth will set you free. In spite of the aging process, I’m free and still excited about what God is doing in my life.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477.