Recently someone wrote a comment to her about the freedom she has found in realizing who she is and who she simply isn’t. She used the illustration
of fashion. This reader wrote of how she
can admire fashion blogs, see a nice outfit on another person, but when it
comes to her own wardrobe she neither enjoys the process of shopping or the daily task of picking out an outfit to wear for the day.
I read this comment and for some reason I felt ten times
lighter. I might have even said an Amen. Her illustration fit me nicely. I, too, am
not a lover of clothes or accessories. And that’s okay. I greatly appreciate a
put together outfit on another. I can see it on others. And I love that others
love clothes. I just happen to love sorting a junk drawer. We’re all quirky.
I am starting to realize the same may go for me and cooking.
I loved Nancy's comment on Wednesday in her desire to write an "I hate to cookbook." Ha! For me, I love the idea of loving to cook. I adore cooking shows. I love the thought of preparing daily meals
with happiness in my heart and pride in my culinary cuisine. But the real truth
of the matter is that I don’t really love it. I can handle it, but my heart
doesn’t skip a beat with excitement to get a meal on the table.
When I was a freshman in college my friend Heidi and I did a
devotional by Donna Partow. I think it might have been geared at 50 year old
women, but we loved it and used to make fun of Donna’s illustration in the book
that making a casserole to bring a friend in need might not be your thing.
Your thing might be in words of affirmation or offering to babysit. I think her
point was that you don’t have to be all things to all people all the time.
Heidi and I have made fun of this illustration by telling each other many times, “well, don't expect me to bring you a casserole, okay? It’s just not my gift.”
And guess what? It’s really not my gift!
But I’m starting to realize this is all okay. I have gifts
in other areas. I don’t need to shine in the kitchen. Or in my ability to put a
great outfit together. I just need to look presentable and fill the bellies of
my family with something wholesome to eat.
It's good to recognize this I think. Better than fighting it the rest of my days. I'll just keep buying cardigans from Target and get fired up for crock pot week!
It's good to recognize this I think. Better than fighting it the rest of my days. I'll just keep buying cardigans from Target and get fired up for crock pot week!
2 comments:
the crock pot really is the way to go. I really only like to cook if it's for a lot of people...maybe it's because the work (and for me cooking is WORK) pays off in lots of happy people and complements...whereas, cooking for Judah and even Lance results in me doing the dishes. lol
I appreciate this post. I know some of my strengths and interests but they have had to change in the season of my life I'm in and that's tricky.
There is such freedom in realizing that you have other gifts. Sometimes, I make casseroles for other people, more often, however, I send a gift card or cash so they can buy something. And sometimes, I just listen. That's o.k., too. The thing is to do what God calls you to do, not what others expect you to do.
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