is Paul bragging?

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Paul continues his typical pattern of his letters - after the greeting he moves into why he is thankful for the people he is writing to. The key words are faith, love, growth and perseverance. Paul specifically commends the church in Thessalonica for their growing faith and their increasing love for one another. Paul boasts boasts about Thessalonica to the other churches because they are persevering in the middle of persecution.
This has always been a struggle for me because the Bible clearly speaks against pride and, in today's language anyway, whenever we talk about boasting or bragging it has to do with pride. How can Paul boast about this church without committing the sin of pride? Let's be honest, we hear this from parents (or at least we'd like to hear this from parents) when they are talking about their kids - "I am so proud of you!" There are times that I feel emotions about my students that I can only describe as pride. So, is pride always wrong? Is it ok to be proud of someone else?
I think Paul was able to boast about others because he recognized that while he worked hard and was faithful to God's call, ultimately he had very little to do with the growing faith and perseverance of the church. God was the one who made it grow. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 3 - he planted the seed, Apollos watered it and God makes it grow. So when Paul boasts about a church, it is because he recognizes that it was God's work - he is actually bringing glory to God by pointing out the evidence of his work in that church - and because he is so excited that he was a part of God's work. The difference with me and most parents who talk about being proud of their kids is that they are saying that they are actually proud to be associated with their student and if they didn't perform in the way that they have, they wouldn't be as happy to be connected to them. When I brag about my youth group and my students in it, there is a significant part of me that takes credit for the work that God is doing - as if the students wouldn't be where they are now if it wasn't for me. I sometimes feel that same way when I hear parents talking about how great their kid is - as if it has nothing to do with anyone else except the parents.
I think I hide my arrogance and pride pretty well (in fact, I'm proud of how well I hide it - grin!) but I know my heart. I know how proud I am and how quick I am to take credit for God's work in people's lives. God, please humble me. Remind me that while I may plant or water, you are the one that brings growth. When I boast, may I boast like Paul - to point out what you are doing so that you will receive all the glory and with absolute awe and delight that you would somehow use me in your work!