Uniquely Me

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,    I know that full well. -Psalm 139:13-14


What a perfect morning at South Mountain yesterday!  65 degrees, perfect shade of Carolina blue skies and recent rains had the waterfall looking particularly beautiful.  Driving into the park, I saw a couple of deer grazing beside the road.  I stopped to look and they just stood there looking back.  It was peaceful and beautiful and the tips of the trees are just starting to show signs of autumn.  Perfect!


Several weeks ago, I purchased some spa services from the Groupon web site (a site that offers discounts to use at local businesses).  It was a gift to myself for some successful weight loss.  However, I have found that each time I have the time to use it, I end up going hiking instead!  Who'd have thought that I would prefer hiking to a massage and a facial!


But I have discovered something about myself through these solitary hikes.  I have always known that I'm a bit of an introvert and I prefer the quiet to noise and busyness.  And I've always felt that I have a more contemplative spirit.  But these past several weeks of hiking in solitude have confirmed it beyond what I even supposed.  I come back from my hikes feeling rejuvenated... physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.


For years, I have been led to believe that being an extrovert is somehow "better" and have spent most of my life trying to become one.  And I have learned to act enough like an extrovert that it often surprises people to find out that I am actually an introvert.  But it is only acting.  Spending a lot of time around a lot of people stresses me out.  Not that I don't enjoy people... I do!  But I also need plenty of time with just myself to balance it out.


I think what I have finally learned is that it is perfectly okay to be me.  After all, that is who God created me to be.  I will never be the person who strikes up conversations with strangers about Jesus.  I will never be the person who knows that a caregiver could use some time off and just drop in on them to take over their duties.  I will never be the hostess with the mostest. I will never be the most articulate person in a group prayer.  I know people who are great at all those wonderful things, but it's not me and God doesn't expect me to be someone I am not.


What my contemplative nature does promote is doing things like this blog, or spending a little one-on-one time with someone who seeks out my council or advice, or share things I've learned through my reading and study. And I have learned to hear God speak to my heart during my times of quiet, contemplative prayer.  I know a lot of extroverts who aren't quite as good at those things.


We are all so unique.  We have to stop thinking that we need to be more like someone else and focus on the personality, gifts and talents that God has given us.  Certainly we should try new things, but we should try them in our own unique style.


If everyone would embrace their true spiritual nature, the Body of Christ would be everything it is supposed to be.


Lord,
Help us to find who we really are instead of trying to be who the world thinks we should be.  Help us to nurture our nature so that we can do great things in our unique style for you. Amen.


Joys:  Grazing deer by the roadside; Cooler days of early fall; weekend