I DON'T WISH I HAD BARBIE LEGS

"Do not lock your knees," our wedding coordinator told our wedding party at the rehearsal. And again the morning of the wedding. And again just before the ceremony.

She'd seen too many bridesmaids and groomsmen topple over from keeping their knees locked.

The key is to keep a slight bend in your knees. Basically, have the opposite of Barbie legs.

Have you ever tried to stand a Barbie up? She falls right over. Sure, her legs look a whole lot cuter in her little sundresses than mine do. But no worries--I've got a huge one-up on her:

My knees can bend. And bending knees keep you from falling.

When I think of people who are too clothed in pride to say they are sorry, I picture Barbie legs. When I see someone refuse to make the first move toward reconciliation, I picture Barbie legs. When I encounter a person who digs his heels in, or who doesn't seem to think she needs to do anything to bend or grow, I picture Barbie legs.

Because on the surface, they may look great. But their destiny is a fall.

Are you in a situation where you're both wrong and you're both right, but you're only able to see your rightness and their wrongness? When was the last time you apologized to someone when it was due? Have you ever been described as stubborn?

We can hold on and not give an inch, and we may look great for doing so; others may even applaud our tenacity. We can refuse someone a "sorry" that's due, and give off the perception that if we didn't admit fault, we must be innocent. We can refuse to go first, because we think that's what weak people will do.

And with those unbending knees, you might just look great. But if looking awesome in your unbending Barbie legs is your pursuit, then standing tall is not your destiny. A fall is your destiny.

Pride precedes disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.
Proverbs 16:18

Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 18:12

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Proverbs 29:23

So forget having perfect-looking Barbie legs. Go first. Admit fault. Say the "sorry." Make the first move. Bend your knee in humility. You won't look small for doing so.

You'll look small if you don't.