Thoughts || Unique

   I don't like sewing. No, I mean, I really don't like sewing - it makes me cry. The fact of my dislike used to bother me. You see, I never really fit the typical Christian home-schooled girl mold. I had little to no interest in things like sewing, cooking, and playing violin. I found more enjoyment in drawing, writing, and playing with dogs. Now in my early twenties, I still don't fit the mold. I can cook a square meal, but don't make homemade bread. And I get out my creative juices with photography rather than making clothes. Some of you might be thinking "big deal", but those of you raised in the same kind of community that I was will understand why my uniqueness has bothered me. Maybe you have a similar story.

   To those of us who don't fit "the mold", I ask this question: What truly matters? What is something that you want to look back on at the end of your life and be glad that you didn't neglect? As believers using the Bible as our guide, it's pretty obvious - loving and serving God should be our number one goal! We have very specific ways in which to please God, such as loving others. Will the Lord look at me and say "I really wish you had been better at crocheting. Some of those other girls made entire blankets!" Instead of focusing on what we think others expect from us, let's aim to perfect our God-given strengths.

   Now, I'm not suggesting that we simply shouldn't do things we aren't interested in doing. Life skills are useful to learn. Not everyone enjoys cooking, but it's good to have basic food-prep knowledge, especially if you want to have a family. I'm also not saying that we should rebel against what the Lord has for our gender roles. What I am saying is that we shouldn't force ourselves to do things that have little life value, or try to make ourselves like things that we actually don't. When you and I try to earn brownie points with other Christians or to appease God rather than please Him we should stop and reexamine our priorities.

   Because our life purpose is to glorify God, we should realize that He made us as individuals who are able to serve Him in unique ways. If He knew all about each one of us before we were born, and formed us in our mothers wombs, then we can rest assured that He gave us our personal talents and abilities for a reason. If you take pleasure in sewing, do that for His glory. If I play an obscure folk instrument I should do that for His glory. How much more simple and beautiful our lives will be for focusing on our Lord's priorities! Let's stop, thank God for what He has gifted us with then GO DO IT!

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Psalm 139:15-16