Today I am over at Christin’s discussing chapter 2 of my book, Pursuit of Proverbs 31. I figured since I am asking all of you to be real and embrace your life and your uniqueness then I should do the same. We can’t hide from who we are. When we try to change to please others that is like telling God His design is flawed.
There are people in my past, present, and future who want to change me. They’d like nothing more than to make me a little more like the image they have conjured up in their mind. Unfortunately, I do that to other people too. For some reason we think everyone has to be like us and think like us. People will actually get offended at the way other people live their lives. Why do we do this? We judge others by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions. It’s wrong.
Am I saying that we are all right or without sin? No! There are some strict no-nos in the bible: no stealing, no adultery, no fornication, no lying, and on and on. However, there is no dictation as to how we should do the dishes or how we should clean a bathroom. There is no verse in the bible that dictates whether we should or shouldn’t put our kids in sports, write a blog, or style our hair either.
Some of us immediately put up a wall when it comes to certain topics. We avoid them at all costs for fear that it will put us into “that” category. “That” category is whatever one you are opposed to at the moment. Are we not over the categories? Are we not yet fully aware that none of us fit under one particular label?
While I strive to do certain things in life like serve my God and community, be a good wife, raise my kids right, keep my house clean, run a business and the like, I certainly never said I mastered any of it. I try. It is because I try that I succeed.
I think it is time we all get real. It is time to get past our past. Learn from it but move on. It’s also time we embrace our uniqueness. God didn’t make us all to be cookie cutter Stepford wives. He has a brilliant blueprint for each of us. No two will look alike.
None of us should try to fit into a mold. Just be you. Be the best YOU that you can be. Whether you are single, married, working, a mom, or whoever you are. For most of us the only stumbling block in our way is ourselves. You don’t try something different for fear of not being accepted or not being loved or by golly… what if someone says something about it? I know. I’ve been there and still go there from time to time.
I may have a messed up past but I have a amazing future and without that past I would not be who I am today. I love Jesus. I love my husband and my four boys. I miss my former spouse and look forward to seeing him in heaven one day. I want to live my life in a way that pays homage to what my Jesus did for me. I want to live in a way that brings glory to His name, serves others, and represents love.
Take all of these words and combine them with the rest of the words on this blog and they may seem all out of place. Look through all of the photos of me and my life and I make look like a completely different person at times but you know what? It is all me. It is me transforming and I’m still not done. We go through phases. We go through seasons in life. It is what we do with all of those experiences that makes a difference. We can use it for good or bad. I choose to have a good perspective and use it to grow. It is either a stepping stone or a stumbling block. All of life is. I hope you learn something from it.
Whenever you are in a tough situation and you don’t know what to do just ask yourself, “do you want to stumble or do you want to climb?” Are you ready to embrace the REAL you?
“There is no verse in the bible that dictates whether we should or shouldn’t put our kids in sports, write a blog, or style our hair either.”
Wow, I love this! I felt myself lighten a little after I read this post and the comments. Thank you!
Great post.
Amy! I simply LOVE the fact that you have “gotten it” at such a young age! We are the result of all our life experiences and each one happened within the mysterious, perfect sovereign will of God. He knew then how our messed up life was all going to turn out and loved us as we went through it; not because we changed or made it through; He loved us while we were still His enemies. Amazing Love! Forgiving ourselves is part of that transformation process; accepting God’s perfect, completed forgiveness through Jesus Christ is the first step. I love that the greek word in Romans 12:2 for transformed is similar to our word for what happens to a caterpillar — metamorpho o–change! It doesn’t happen all at once to the caterpillar (which is usually really unattractive insect in my opinion) and transformation and renewal from the inside out don’t happen to us all at once either. Thanks for encouraging all your readers with great transparent Truth in action!
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome… Something all girls need to be taught as early as possible!
The fact that we are not who we were in the past is only a testament of the grace and mercy of God and the redemptive sacrifice of Christ Jesus. May that be in the forefront of our minds when we are reminded of who we once were, and may we celebrate with great joy we are no longer her:)
That’s exactly what I was saying, Rhonda! I’m so glad you girls get it. Amen!
I LOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE this post. Thank you Amy!
Amy, I love this post…and I agree with you on so many points. It’s sad that we judge one another on where we are on our walk in life. Maybe someone does feel they should style their hair a certain way or wear specific clothes….or read a certain version of the Bible. – that’s great and one day, I may be where they are, but if they love me through those differences….I may get there faster. Also…when accepting ourselves…the world is unfortunately, so negative…and boundaries are necessary at times, but I think (I may be wrong) we put them up way too quickly…are unforgiving without restoration of relationships…and come across judgemental to so many others. I”m not saying you…I just thought about that when you said “get past your past”…that’s hard to do when people are constantly throwing it in your face, gossiping, slandering…and because of that, we need a good firm foundation with Christ and at least one Godly person in our lives to keep our eyes pointing up. Thank you for this post…I’m sorry to be on a soapbox…
Hey, Rebecca!
Trust me. I know what you mean. I walk through this daily. It was in “getting past my past” that I actually accepted that God used my past to make me who I am today and the more power I give to Him for the work He did in me the less power the gossipers and slanderers get. I have a couple of people in my family who may never accept me for who I am but I have to be secure enough in my relationship with Him to not change who He made me to be in order to please someone else.
And yes we have to have some healthy boundaries. We can’t be consumed with the thoughts of others (especially negative) because we will start to think the same way they do. It happens. I just want us to embrace the person God created us to be without regret and without being ashamed when someone else thinks we don’t measure up. I hope you know how awesome you are. Don’t let some negative Nelly convince you otherwise.