Accepting Compliments

I have this awesome friend who used to have a very time accepting compliments. I would say "Hey, you did a really good job at that." and she'd be just brush it off or explain it away. We ended up having lots of conversation on why you should just say thank you. 

1. Brushing off a compliment can unintentionally offend the other person.

2. Ignoring or explaining away a compliment can give the impression of false modesty and reflect badly on you.

3. Someone is trying to be nice, let them.

4. God's given you gifts and made you who you are, accepting a compliment on using those gifts well can give Him praise.

Recently I was reading a wonderful book, "The Brides of Chance" a collection by Kelly Eileen Hake, Cathy Marie Hake and Tracey V. Bateman. Within that collection is the story "Chance Adventure" by Kelly Eileen Hake and there I found this wonderful nugget of wisdom. 

"I know yore modest, but it does no justice to you nor gives glory to the Lord to dismiss earned praise."

Isn't that interesting? There's a difference between being modest and accepting a compliment. Can you accept a compliment modestly? Sure.

"Hey, you look really pretty today."

"Thank you."

Instead of...

"Hey you look really pretty today."

"Oh, I know! Right? I got this dress the other day and it was practically tailor made for me and I just look awesome in it!"

Yeah, that's not modesty. 

But this lovely quote also says that denying earned praise "does no justice to you nor gives glory to the Lord". 

Have you thought about that before? I hadn't. You’re not only insulting the other person and yourself when you ignore a sincere compliment but accepting a compliment graciously and modesty gives glory to the Lord.

Next time someone gives you a compliment think about your response in relation to this quote before you reply.