Praised

Earlier this week, a pastor/friend from church shared this quote with me from his “The Office” page-a-day calendar.  He said it might come in handy with some of my more narcissistic clients.  Little did he know how much I can relate.

“Do I need to be liked?  Absolutely not.  I like to be liked, I enjoy being liked, I have to be liked, but it’s not like this compulsive need to be liked.  Like my need to be praised.” – Michael Scott

The scary thing is, if you swap “liked” and “praised” in the above quote, that could be an honest quote from a deep place inside me that is kinda (okay, EXTREMELY) uncomfortable to expose to others.  Somehow, the timing of receiving this quote and learning my blog has been nominated for an award has really collided in some seriously painful reflection today.  Thanks to God for continuing to grow me up – via direct words of rebuke and encouragement, and via people who love me enough to challenge me to grow.

What about you?  What are the immature parts within you that you really don’t like exposed?  What might happen if you gave God more access, and invited Him to grow you up in this area of weakness?