Practicing the Presence (Second Letter)

Approximately eight years ago, I had the wonderful privilege of playing in an orchestra where Yo-Yo Ma was the soloist (for those who don't know, Yo-Yo Ma is one of the best cellists in the world and one of the top five classical soloists in the world).  We had the opportunity to not only perform with him, but to spend time talking with him and letting him share with us his love for music.  What struck me most about this man was his complete lack of ego.  While he owns a cello worth at least a million dollars, he let a bunch of college students play it without thinking twice.  This was a man who loves people and was as gracious and giving as anyone I think I've ever met.  He was the epitome of humility.

Reading the following passage from today's reading was what got me to thinking about this memory of meeting Yo-Yo Ma:

I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full of sores and corruption, and who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King; touched with a sensible regret I confess to Him all my wickedness, I ask His forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands, that He may do what He pleases with me.

One of the key characteristics of those who walk closely with God is a sense of complete humility.  Here, Br. Lawrence sounds a lot like the Apostle Paul, when he wrote, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15).  I have found in my life that the people that seem to walk the closest to God are also the people that are most aware of their own sinfulness.  It seems that the closer one is to God, the more aware that person is that he/she doesn't even compare to God's holiness and God's goodness.  

I'm embarrassed to say that there are times that I still think "Well, I'm not as bad as so-in-so" or "At least didn't do _____" or even "When is someone going to recognize that I did ______."  I have to admit: I have a long way to go.  What about you?  What thoughts come to mind when you read a passage like this or see someone with this level humility?