I am having a "me" day.
No,
not a day that I am living for myself, serving my own desires,
putting my needs above others, or being otherwise selfish or exclusive!
By saying "a me day",
I mean a day that feels right for me...
one that reflects what is most important to me,
what my priorities are,
what my convictions are,
and,my truest, purest choices
...a day that reveals my heart.
This will require further explanation, I see...
Growing up, as an adopted (and "only") child, I often heard stories of other adopted people setting out to "find themselves". I thought this was silly. And, perhaps, it is not something that only adopted people do. All of us, to some extent, tend to base our understanding of ourselves upon our comparison of other's lives, as well as according to what others think of us. I suppose this is natural. But, we can get really mixed up doing this self-hunt this way!
"For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who
commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and
compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding." (2 Corinthians 10:12)
For the most part, I have always been comfortable "in my own skin", as they say. I liked being alone, because I liked myself okay. But, I do remember looking at others, and deciding that I would like to cultivate a quality that I appreciated in them. I also remember deciding to avoid certain behaviors/attitudes/characteristics that I felt were less desirable.
Nowadays, I hear the phrases, "Get REAL!" and "Be NORMAL!" ... neither of which are conducive to being true to yourself. Both "real" and "normal" generally refer to what the rest of the population are doing, which is not often or always right in God's sight.
"And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)
In my Christian journey of 34 years or so, I have been growing in my understanding of myself, as I grow in my understanding of my Savior.
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" (Ephesians 4:15)
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14)
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Somewhere along the way, I allowed the voice of others to prevail against the voice of the Holy Spirit and my own, inner voice...and, I gradually all-but "lost" the "real me". I have realized anew that it is every bit as important to be true to yourself, as it is to be true to God; and, that this should be done simultaneously!
This morning, it occurred to me that I was experiencing that glorious combination and balance again. What that amounts to for me is simply this:
~ apply the principles of God's Word in a way that reflects the way that He created me...a unique being.
If we pattern ourselves after other people, either we will become hypocrites or become very disillusioned with ourselves. Our thought processes, and our choices, should reflect our true nature, as well as the nature of God.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. "
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)
So...
dressed in my long, loose layers of comfortable, cotton, home-sewn clothing;
eating kale chips & almonds; sipping a fruit smoothie from a glass straw;
hanging my homemade soap-scented laundry outside to dry;
spying (with camera in hand) on the birds at the feeders outside my kitchen window;
folk music predominating all other genres;
colorful rag rug in the making by my side;
grandson safely tucked-in for a nap;
reveling in sons and daughters exploring and learning and serving and working;
basking in the love of a good man...
these things and many more make me "ME"!
I am happy with me,
and
happy in the Lord.
