Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I Caught You!

Good afternoon from the blue chair where I am sporting some maternity clothes since I have for SURE grown out of my others. Feelin kinda pert. BUT I have to admit that I was, for even a moment, wanting to switch lives with someone else just a moment ago....

Why do we do that? Or compare ourselves??? We KNOW that 2Co 10:12 tells us, " For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." Yet we do it anywhoo..

And funny thing is, we actually think that the grass IS greener on the other side......er I mean the "carpet is cleaner" in the other house. And friends, it is not.

Today I saw someone in a picture looking to have the perfect family of few children and perfect hair. I am suffering with hair envy lately, forgive me. I am thinking that she made Cornish hens with cranberry stuffing last night for her family with homemade wheat rolls and OF COURSE served them with honey butter that, you guessed it, came from her own hives in the backyard.....last years harvest obviously. Her children, few they were, were dressed to the Nine's with nary a spot on them and each hair in place. I am picturing them going to bed without a struggle, singing their Mother's praises as she kisses them "Goodnight." OF COURSE they spent the rest of the evening sitting on the couch after they both did the dishes and she rested comfortably on her Hubby's shoulder as he read "Pride and Prejudice" aloud to her.

SEE WHAT I MEAN?

And funny thing is....I never even got this junk out of romance novels......never could stomach them, and had enough imagination growing up to write my own in my head if I chose to do so. This is my own spirit, thinking that I am not "good enough" or my family is not "perfect enough." I was caught looking for "Martha Stewart Christianity." And it does not exist. We have mistakenly grabbed the yard stick and begun to see how we "measure up" with someone here in the flesh when the only person we are to compare ourselves with is the sweet Lord Himself. And when we look into the mirror of God's Word we see how short we fall to God's holiness, and we pray, pick up the house and keep going, endeavoring to become more like Him each day that passes.

This nasty world has so much glitter and shine that we find ourselves, like a kid in a candy store, nose pressed to the window trying to see what we are supposedly "missing." And the more time we spend "looking," "searching," the less time we devote to "nurturing" our little "home sweet home," and making it indeed just that. What a sad place this would be if we were all alike, had perfect hair everyday, and had no defining characteristics that make us, well....us.

Sometimes I joke with people that I was always the "cute," "funny" one. I was never the Captain of the Cheerleaders, the Top Runner, record breaker in track or cross-country, never the straight "A" student or prize artist. And in 7th grade, though I was the shortest soprano, had to be moved to the very back row because my lungs were much bigger than my outward height. Did I ever WANT to be all those wonderful things that made people take notice??? You bet! Did wanting to be the best in everything ever get me farther than I am now? Nope. Truth is, I AM the funny one. Naturally I like to set people at ease and humor has always been a strong point for me. AND it never landed me with the most popular people. I was usually a "last resort" friend for those who never had any use for me unless they REALLY needed a good laugh. Which is why those few, and you know who you are, whom have stuck with me through bangs and no bangs, failing chemistry, and many demerits are my friends whom I will love forever.

At the end of the day, we all have the same pile of dishes that must be cleaned, the same amount of dust bunnies reproducing at record speed under the beds, the same amount of missing cups and spoons, and the same moments of wanting to be someone else, just for a millisecond.

That picture perfect family I mentioned earlier........ why would I think that she never gets sick, has crying fits from her toddler, arguments with her husband, bills she has no idea how she will pay, spends way too much at Wal-mart and cannot find a way to tell her husband, and the lot??

And why would I want another person's troubles, when mine are fitted for me by a loving Father's hand? And of course not that we should think higher of ourselves than we ought, (2 Co 3:5 " Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;") but when we see our worth in God's eyes, and the enormous price He paid ....... FOR US. Yes the "funny" one, we hold our heads higher and realize that we are here with a purpose.

For some it seems like it is getting raisins out of your children's noses. For some it is encouraging that neighbor. We ALL have a purpose, and have been redeemed for something much bigger than judging our hair with that of an old college friend. (that was for me) Because while YOU are thinking about so-and-so, the Lord is thinking of YOU. Ps 40:17 "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God."


By placing too many requirements on ourselves, we become disgruntled, desperate housewives. What does God require of us? Mic 6:8 " He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Be yourself, and seek to be more like the Lord, not like "Susie homemaker."

Much love,
The "Funny" One

5 comments:

  1. You are wise beyond your years Miss Deena. I love your entries and I love you! Ironically, I have found myself envying your life and striving to be more like you. Isn't it funny? God loves you just the way you are and He made a special one the moment He made you!

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  2. Aww.....now this made me chuckle, smile, and made me thankful for sweet family like you! God surely DOES love us just the way He made us, and I am so thankful he made YOU just the way YOU are! Thank you so much for your comment!!! Made my day!

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  3. It is SO easy to do, especially when people who seem to have it all together look at you like you are C.R.A.Z.Y. to have so many children on days that fall demoralizingly short of perfect. I often have to remind myself that even if my purpose on earth is to wipe bottoms and snotty noses, "in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

    What I have to offer isn't much. I don't even have the "funny" to fall back on. But the LORD took one small loaf and two fishes from a little boy who gave all that He had, and if He can break that into peices and feed a multitude, He can use me. Ruth Stull, a missionary to Peru once said, "If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad." On rough days, I can't tell you what an encouragement that is to me!

    My life would be quiet, serene, organized, and polished without my little ones, but if I had to choose, this is the life I'd pick every time! I have influence that I could never otherwise have that reaches far beyond even my own imagination! It's a privilege. :)

    Another GREAT post, Deena. Thank you.

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  4. Deena,
    I just have to say "thank you"! I really really needed to hear this! This blog was totally for me and I thank God for it, and for you! You are an example for me and I appreciate it! love, Mary

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  5. I just wanted to say you are far more than the "funny" one. You remind me to be cheerful, kind, prayerful, modest, in the Word, attentive, consistent, disciplined, etc. The best part is that you do all this without being preachy... guess how... by being funny. I wish we were closer to OH and could get together more often!! Thanks for being you!!

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