Be Who You Is

This blog is an inside look into what God is teaching me, kinda journal like. It amazes me that I am just now figuring this out and I thought that it might be an encouragement to my friends. I am becoming more aware of the need to find who God has made ME to be and then grow within that...not find out what God made YOU to be and then strive to be better at that. Strange, you might think, but everyday I am met with the desire to compare myself with others and allow that person to be a determining factor as to whether I measure up to the "standard". Yesterday, it became clearer than ever that I don't want to do that. It can be so exhausting and I don't believe it to honor God. I began to realize that I am a learner, loving to learn new things, but I might not have to be the master in each of those. I can thank my parents for that love. Here is my list that I started...

1. Bible Study-I love to read the Bible and gain new insights. I love to see how it fits my life, family and the world around me. I don't like to do inductive Bible Study.


2. Teaching-I enjoy sharing truths that I have learned in almost any area. I love to pass that along to others in most formats. I don't enjoy studying for hours to make a presentation.


3. Parenting-I love to spend time with my kids doing something-reading, making something, going somewhere. I am not good at playing toys with them.


4. Exercise-I can appreciate a good workout for good health and really enjoy it for about 30-45 minutes. I don't have to master every style of exercise and really don't want to.


5. Fashion-I love to dress stylish and LOVE shopping (with money). I don't have to have a huge wardrobe. A few new things for a season and I am set.


6. Finances-I enjoy working with numbers and learned truth from God's Word about spending wisely. Sometimes, I can splurge and break out of budget.


7. Bargain Hunting-Everyone can appreciate a great deal. I enjoy finding them when I have the time. Sometimes I can work too hard for one. However, I don't enjoy 2nd hand shopping and I might pay too much for a great sweater just because I love it. Quality is probably most important to me. How long will it last?


8. Photography-I love pictures. I love looking at them again and again. I love finding the right angle and I think I have an eye for it. On a nice day, I don't have to have my camera attached to me. Sometimes I forget to take it to events and I am okay with that. I love to scrapbook, but for short periods of time. I enjoy the finished product mostly.


9. Housework-I love seeing my house in order. I like it clean. I don't obsess with it's perfection. I might hide something in a closet just to deal with it later. I usually have one room needing attention.


10. Cooking-I love to cook and bake. I think it's fun to try new recipes and prepare a beautiful meal. I don't like to experiment much on my own.


11. Eating Healthy-It is a priority to create meals for my family that are healthy. This has to stay within a budget, so sometimes I have to trust the Lord to keep us healthy when I can't afford to buy all organic, fresh or something. I can appreciate a trip to McDonalds or some candy and chocolate. Ice cream is my favorite!


12. Decorating-This is one of my favorite places to allow my creativity to flow. Unfortunately, budget and my love for quality slow me up in this area. It takes me too long to decide so my home is somewhat empty. Simple is best at times.


13. Relationships-This is probably my #1 love. I can distracted from everything else to spend time with others. I might think I would like a day to myself, but it's always better to me to take someone along...especially Jason or one of my kids, mom, sisters, friends,...you get the point. I really dislike being misjudged and wish pride didn't exist in relationships.

Okay, here is my start. This has been good for me to do. Being honest with myself allows me to pursue what I love and spend time following what God wants me to do. I will probably struggle with being a perfectionist and wanting something right and precise. But, I applaud you for what you are good at...the best cook, photographer, blogger, cleaner, shopper, whatever...but enjoy it. Live life to find God's purpose for who you are!!!