Definition of normal:
1. according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle
2. conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern
3. of, relating to, or characterized by average intelligence or development
4. free from mental disorder
Those are just a few of the definitions Mr. Webster slapped onto the term normal. Now take a look at the picture below and tell me if you think this is normal.
This is our Terrel and, yes, he is trying to stand on his head on the couch. What you can’t see from the picture is that he is at the same time memorizing his Bible passage for school. Lowell and I were watching him run from the table where his Bible memory paper was laying and then back to the couch he’d go to stand on his head a bit, all the while spouting memory verses over and over. We were trying to figure out if it was helping or hindering his brain cells by the increased blood flow to his head.
He eventually got the passage memorized so I guess you could say this little mission was successful, head-standing and all. However, he defied every single one of those definitions listed above.
1. He was indeed deviating from a norm.
2. He certainly wasn’t conforming to the standard pattern for memorizing Bible verses.
3. I’m still questioning if this was a sign of above or below average intelligence.
4. Not sure how to comment on the mental disorder for who else do you know that memorizes Bible verses while standing on their head.
This had me thinking of how normal can be a scary thing. I was reading a book the other night where the author was informing us moms of large families how to manage them better. She had some excellent insights and great points, but as I kept reading my inferiority complex kept growing. After mumbling one too many times I do believe Lowell was almost ready to pitch the book across the room.
Then I had to remember that normal for some other folks may not be normal for you or me. I may not do things the same way the author declares is good simply because my lifestyle and circumstances are not the same.
Why do you think God made us all unique? Maybe because He, too, gets bored with normal. It does me so much good to remember that God made me exactly as He wanted me. Had He wanted me a Sally, He would have made me a Sally.
When I plant my seeds and flowers in the spring, I do so with the purpose for harvest in mind. My corn is planted where it will not shade the other plants. My tomatoes are planted where it is easiest to get through them. My cucumbers are planted where they can spread out. My flowers are planted where I can enjoy their beauty up close. What if my corn had said “Oh, but I want to be like those petunias and be planted in a flower basket on the porch!” How goofy would that look! Besides, I would probably get no harvest.
We are the same way. God plants us in different cultures, different churches, different states, and even different countries. My only goals should be simply to bloom where I’m planted, glorify God where He has placed me, and take joy in the fact that He made us all exactly the way He wanted us. Why should we ruin His master plan by striving all our lives to be someone else? It doesn’t mean we don’t have room to grow, but that we need to begin the growing from the right place.
So there you have our worst secret………we are not normal. And I bet if you’d look real close, you’d find that you’re not normal either.
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Peggy says
Great post, Kendra ~ I always tell my kids ~ “Everyone is weird in their own way in someone’s mind.” But we ARE being shaped my the Master to be exactly as He would have us to be ~ and if that is abnormal in most people’s view, hey ~ we’ll take it ~ 🙂 Enjoyed your thoughts ~
Anonymous says
Thanks for the good reminder to bloom where I am planted, and that I am who God made me, no one else. Glory to Him, He knows what He’s up to.
Mom G.
Kristen says
Love your blog, Kendra! It’s so nice to get a glimpse into your life again! Kristen in CA
Anonymous says
Kendra,
I have been following your blog in secret 😉 but I just want to say thank you. You are able to put into words what most of us moms think but can’t say! It is nice to know the silly things that my kids do everyone else’s children do silly things too. I think that I try to make my children be so perfect that I miss out on some of life’s greatest joys! You and Lowell have a beautiful family!! Keep posting! I enjoy them!!
Lauren Post 🙂
Arlene says
Normal=A setting on a dryer. Nothing more! According to Erma Bombeck (I still miss her) Bless his pea-pickin’ heart for being ‘creative’, seems to me that reminds me of someone else…. hmmmmm, his Mum perhaps? Perhaps!!!!
Living in the shoe says
Thanks to those of you who came out of hiding! 🙂 I’m also glad to know we’re not the only family who’s not normal.
Holly says
Normal is way over-rated!!!
Have a fabulously Graber-normal Wednesday!!!
Norv and Sharon says
By the way, who says what normal is anyway? Everybody is differant and does things differant,from cooking to cleaning to the way you tie your shoes! Good reminder for me that its ok to be abnormal, just because most families around us seem to have a normal life ….