I have decided that I am not normal.
I am not like those ladies who can look at a craft and remake it within hours. I am not crafty at all. Period.
I do not even like to scrapbook and Pinterest makes me feel guilty. Except for the food on there.
I am not beautiful or tan, with delicate cheekbones. Instead, I have a round face – which I’m told gets rounder when pregnant. Who cares . . . I’m eating for two and I’ll enjoy every last bite. Round cheeks or no.
I am selfish to the point where if my child finishes the last sausage, and I only got a bite, I will turn around and eat a cookie. All the while thinking “That’ll teach them.”
Color coordination is not my forte. I’m sure I’ve clashed somewhere, sometime. And that’s not just in clothing. That includes decorating and painting. My husband is the one who can see what colors go together. But at least I’m a happy clasher who is unaware of it, most of the time.
I am not a fan of stories where little children are molested, wives must vie for their husband’s attention in polygamy, or any stories where starvation, poverty, and anguish excel. Especially where little children are concerned. It literally gives me a stomach ache. And then I feel guilty that I can’t handle it. So I force myself to read them because I know I need that dose of reality, but it squeezes my heart something awful.
I do not have a green thumb. There’s been many times I’ve pretended I do, but it’s time to face the facts. Every plant I’ve ever had in my house, I kill.
My closets are not neatly organized and sometimes I want to close my eyes the minute I step into my attic. And I especially don’t enjoy getting pointers from moms of 12 kids whose homes are neat as a pin and their children can actually find their clothing. Those perfectly organized moms make me feel guilty too.
I am not . . .
or am I?
I am a daughter of the King. He fashioned my little body, heart, and soul 34 years ago – knowing all He wanted me to be.
I am loved immensely by a man who can still make my heart beat faster.
I am cherished and adored by five little children. Who call me Mom. Adoration to a 3 year old is when he snuggles up beside me on the recliner and offers me his most favorite blanket.
I am supported by my father and mother, who taught me at a very young age to love the truth of God’s Word and to never stop fighting for it.
I can cook a good meal – not gourmet and the potatoes might be lumpy, but it will fill little bellies.
I may not be able to color coordinate all the time, but at least I’m thankful for all the clothes I have been given.
I may not be able to knit a beautiful, miniature-sized flower, but I can play a mean game of hand and foot with my children.
I love to can our garden’s harvest and then linger in my basement, just looking at all the pretty jars full of yummy food.
I love being a mom to these five, soon six, precious souls. I love the talks we have about heaven, how a tree grows, and what snow is made of.
I am my husband’s biggest supporter. Nobody else knows him like I do. They’ve not seen the uphill battle he’s faced since his accident, but I have. I know the demons that have screamed in his ear for him to give up, but he wouldn’t listen to them. That’s my man. And I’m proud to be called his wife.
I love being the woman God made me. For some reason, He didn’t want all the craftiness stitched into my body or the gourmet cooking to come easily for me. But He gave me a heart of love I can pass on to my husband, my children, and my friends.
That’s good enough for me.
Now who are you?
Really.
Linking to Raising Mighty Arrows, The Modest Mom, Growing Home, Our Simple Country Life, and Little Natural Cottage.
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Sarah : ) www.crumbsundermytable.blogspot.com says
I love this! I think it sums up in many ways how most of us feel. I need a constant reminder that I may not be able to do or be all the things others can, but I can and am things they are not. And God made me especially for my husband and kids and them especially for me, inadequacies and all. I guess this is what it means to be content in all things. Love in Christ!
deborah says
Very well put! I love the quote at the bottom-It is when we are looking at who our neighbors are . . . that we can’t see the beautiful person God made us to be.
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others instead of growing in the strenghts God gave us.
What is normal anyway? 🙂
And guess what? I’m not crafty either and even though I love the look houseplants give a home, I am not good with them and I don’t want to have to take care of them.
No green thumb here either. Or delicate cheekbones.
I do like to organize, but that doesn’t mean my house stays organized. We always have stuff that needs picked up and put away except for the hour before the invited company arrives.
Rejoicing in the “I ams” with you!
Anonymous says
I love it! Something I am slowly learning is that’s it’s not about what others do or think but what God calls me to do. I’m created different from other women, wives and mothers. That’s what makes each one of us special and unique in our own way.
There are a lot of things I am — Two things esp — I love to organize but I have to keep in mind that with 4 littles in only 900 sq ft it’s not always gonna be perfect. On the other hand I think it takes a lot more to be organized in a small house than a big one.
I can sew — not one of those exotic sewers but I enjoy sewing and can sew well enough to cloth my family modestly.
One thing I am not — I am not one of those sugar-free, gluten-free people. But I am not a junk food freak either. This is something that has really bothered me lately. EVERYONE IS gluten free and feed their families so healthy but they still get sick. I AM NOT knocking people who have a good medical reason and need this diet. One reason it bothers me is because there have been quite a few times these ladies’ husband have told my husband they don’t appreciate it. Now, is that submissive??? Another reason is because I believe in moderation in all things. A little sugar, whether in pop, cookies, or your baked potato doesn’t hurt. I have never really noticed that my children are less hyper children because I refused ALL sugar to them. I have to chuckle sometimes because I have been using less than the whole amount of sugar ask for in a recipe for as long as I’ve been married. (as long as it doesn’t mess up the food) I use a moderation of whole wheat, white, and even rye flour at times. We eat pizza, drink pop, love carrots with peanut butter, apples, chips, chocolate chip cookies made with real butter – the list goes on. We have had allergy tests done, we have gone on gluten free, sugar free and caffeine free diets. When it all comes down to it — I decided that feeding my family healthy was important but I didn’t need to go overboard. Also I make what my husband prefers (and that doesn’t include casseroles!) 🙂
So in reality I am a cook and feed my family the way I feel “I” should. I love what Deborah ask, “What is normal?” So very true. Is normal what everyone else is doing or what I/we feel is normal??
There that was my ‘blog’ for the day, the week…
Kendra Graber says
You know, I could’ve almost written what you just posted. 🙂 Minus the peanut butter and carrots! But I am not a health freak either. My husband is the one who likes to research and try healthier foods. However, I do try to incorporate ww and even a few gluten-free flours once in a while to please my husband. But there is rarely a day I go without at least a small bite of chocolate!
Thank you for your encouragement!!
Sharon Skrivseth says
You sound like normal person to me! I like ” normal ,everyday ” people who don’t mind messes and cook meals you can pronounce…
Its too much work to be somebody else ,I have enough work just being me!
Beth Cover says
Hello, Kendra and all you other lovely ladies. Sometimes I’ve had women go all googaa about the fact that I tutor High school math and science. God gave me a brain for figuring that stuff out. I’m not a genius, or even that smart. I do Not have a good memory. But I love to teach and enjoy the challenge of a good math problem. Those same women decorate their beautiful home with ease, while I put it off, considering any amount of decorating to be “work”. I can cook supper, do so 6-7 days a week, but will never say that I enjoy it! Well, maybe the odd sick day when I can cook Sunday lunch without pressure or interruption. But I do like to bake, pies, cinnamon rolls, etc. The end of the matter is ….we all have talents…use them for God’s glory, not our own. 2nd. We all have the calling to run our homes in a way that is pleasing to our husband. That means different things to different people. I.e. I need to more completely collect receipts =) 3rd, We also all have the calling to love our children and teach them about our Creator and Saviour. Me, I never mind too much when my children are sick. I held my toddler for almost an hour this am, singing to him while he didn’t feel good. One of the most satisfying things I’ve done all week. A good reason NOT to tackle the laundry, right? While none of this is news to any of you, just thought I’d agree with you Kendra =)
All glory be to God!
The Proverbs 31 Sanctuary says
Kendra, I really enjoyed your post, thank you. Thank you for reminding us that God loves variety. Have a blessed weekend. Tara.
Anonymous says
Your honesty is refreshing and I honestly think you are the greatest for our son!
Love, Mom G
Anonymous says
She is mom. Absolutely no doubt!!
Lowell
Anna says
I’ve struggled with myself, too…wishing I were more like my “neighbor.” I strove to be someone I wasn’t…and failed. God has really helped me in this area and is teaching me a lot of things.
When I think of this problem, I (like you) remember that God made me a certain way for a certain reason, that He has a plan for me and made me to fit into a spot that I’m supposed to fill – with my talents and tendencies (though I’ve come to realize that SOME of then do need to be reformed.)
Thankfully I also have wonderful people (My mom, mainly) who reminds me that the Bible says to think on things that are good – “Excellent, of good report, whatever is right, pure, lovely…” (of course, I’m paraphrasing) and my weakness is certainly not any of those things. I do need to change them, but not agonize over them all the time.
Taking my mind off of myself and focusing on others is a help – (and makes you more loved by all!) but what helps me most, is when I’m reminded of God’s view of things; His love for me, that He made me, that He programed me for a certain work.
This is something God has truly been helping me to overcome – lately He’s brought me to “see the light” on a few points that I’d been struggling with. He’s so faithful.
Keep being the person that God made you to be! 🙂