I started this blog, thinking I could enjoy some creative writing in all my "spare" time of having a new baby. That didn't happen. And then, God gave me another another baby. Then it really didn't happen. In my blog I have 2 other posts I never published. So I ask for your forgiveness for the immense time gap between them all. I'm 4 kids deep now. Where did we leave off? Where did we even start?
It's funny, I"m always starting new things. When it seems I couldn't have more on my plate if I tried I manage to add one more helping of something totally new. It's a character trait that I see as both fun, and terribly flawed. I have a hard time finishing books. My husband picks a book and finishes it within a few weeks…of the same month! This amazes me. I have at lease 8 half started books in different areas of our house. I'm rather proud of myself that I've lived in the same house and town as long as I have, Glory be to God for my husband because left to my own devices we would probably be on the streets of Bolivia right now! I am pretty sure I've started a new job, class or ministry before or after having each of my kids. It doesn't matter if I'm nursing a newborn, this is what I do. I'm a starter! This blog is proof that I do this.
I've been learning a lot about being okay with who I am. With who others are. I'm rather enjoying this lesson because it brings me relief when I understand more of why I feel a certain way, or why another person might do what they do. It allows me to love others better and myself as well. Marriage will definitely iron stuff like this out over time. At some point though, God brings these types of things to my attention, softly, sweetly, but seriously. I realized that recognizing what it is, is the first step in the journey toward freedom. For instance: I'm a starter. The second step is understanding this strait and admitting some of the downfalls it can have. For example being a starter can cause chaos at times, it creates business, it can make a cautious person feel anxious and it can be hard to follow something through to completion.The third is acceptance: seeing the good in it. Life is full and fun and interesting with this trait. I connect with various people in various kinds of ways. Ideas, businesses and inventions are started this way. These creative juices often impact others in a positive manner. Let's be honest, we might be a tad bored if I didn't get us out there! And what comes after recognition, understanding and acceptance? Grace, which leads to freedom, and then rushes forth the joy.
Oh Joy! The joy of knowing your tendencies and loving them! Simultaneously seeing the tendencies of others, and loving them! Realizing that without the two teeter tottering side by side, our world would not work as well. I find I really enjoy others this way! I see how valuable they are. Sometimes I can get caught wishing I was more like this person in this way or that way, but then I remember…who would be me? These small and simple realizations can have a great impact on your freedom in every day living. I see it in my marriage daily but I see it in friendships too. Like all of us, I have some people in my life that aren't the greatest at getting back to me but once I recognize that's how they tend to operate, I start to find that trait kind of endearing in them. I prefer endearing over the alternative frustration or insecurity it could've led to. It doesn't mean it's the awesomest trait in the world, but everybody's working on something. It brings freedom because I know what to expect, and I've already accepted it. And it brings me a twinkle of joy just to know someone well.
What tendencies do you have? What are your spouses or closes friends? It will be and is especially interesting to see this in my children. We already see the creativity in one, the coordination in the other. We see leadership in one and dependency in another. One spills everything and trips everywhere, the other we can entrust with more mature tasks. We are entertained by another, his charisma is magnetic! And we watch all of these traits unfold. Now I need to pray daily to remember their tendencies, recognize them, understand them, accept them and rejoice in them! So that they too can feel the joy of who they are, and the freedom to love the differences in others.
