It seems I am a winner in only one thing in life.
Multiplication Races: FAIL
Knitting anything: FAIL
Piano playing: FAIL
Acting: FAIL
Gardening: FAIL
Running: EPIC FAIL
Awkwardly
enough, I think the only award I could ever fairly win in this life is the Awkward Award
(they make those, right?). I know it’s hard for you to accept, loyal readers,
but I really am terribly awkward. YES, I do get sweaty palms when nervous. YES, I do swallow loudly. YES,
I do fold my arms up and act like an prude when meeting a new guy. YES,
I do struggle starting conversations. YES, the conversations I enjoy tend to be
awkward embracing the subjects of either spiritual matters or bodily refluxes.
(It’s the strangest thing, but it seems most people have an aversion to either of
those choices).
I’ve spent years of my life
bemoaning the fact that my awkward behavior was even more apparent due to the
fact that I had such an awkward nose, my
hair shot out awkwardly as if I was related Einstein, and that I
was “physically matured” by the time I entered 5th grade (which
really can be awkward).
Thankfully, I’ve learned a few
things since 5th grade which have made my life a little less . . . stressful.
1) Embrace the
awkwardness. That’s right,
embrace the fact that you were made different. Cherish those differences. For
example, I’ve attended Christian school, public school, and the prestigious
Halbert Academy (a.k.a. homeschool). Consequently, I don’t really fit in
anywhere . . . and yet I fit in with anyone. It used to bother me; now, I see
it as a blessing.
2) Embrace your
Creator. "This is what
the LORD says--your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who
has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the
earth by myself,” Isaiah 44:24. Embrace the God Who wants to embrace
you. Who claims you.
3) Embrace
others and their awkwardness. We
love when others accept us (and all our weirdness). Let’s love our neighbor
as ourselves and choose to be accepting. Now, I’m not talking about accepting
sin but rather accepting the person you happen upon and all their glorious peculiarities.
4) Look beyond
yourself. Ultimately, we need
to look past ourselves. I’ve found that whenever I freak out over pimples,
mistakes, or perceived awkward moments I’m not really looking to God—I’m
practicing self-love. Idolatry. And it wounds me every time.
Learning to see the beauty of being
different,
Frannie
P.S. I think God is worshipped when we chose to
accept what He has done; what thinkest thou?
I'm telling you, Frannie, we SO need to get together!!! We'd make an awesomely awkward pair! ;) hehe! I like to tell people that my middle name is NOT Grace. ;) Or perhaps I should switch over so that my name IS Grace because God has given me so much of it... :)
ReplyDeleteI love your 4 points you made. What a beautiful reminder. I sometimes do get caught up in the fact that I can't seem to take 30 steps without tripping on one of them.
And I think I agree with you about how God is worshipped. Or perhaps He is glorified. (Oh, by the way, I'd love to get together and talk about all sorts of 'spiritual' things! In fact, a friend and I visited for 3 hours about the church, Christians, and our walk with God). :)
I hope you have a blessed day, Frannie dear!
Love your awkward sister,
Sarah
Sarah! What a wonderful point; we may lack grace and yet there is another kind which God wants to pour upon us! And I would love to sit and talk with you! Sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you can relate! :o)
With lots o' love,
Frannie