Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Glories of Being Awkward



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?

2 comments:

  1. 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... :)
    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!

    So glad you can relate! :o)
    With lots o' love,
    Frannie

    ReplyDelete

Hey there, darling!

I'd love to hear your thoughts -- leave a comment below and I'll do my best to give you a reply. There is nothing sweeter then hearing from my readers!

Love, blessings and a steaming cup of coffee,

Frannie Anne

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