The Pumpkin
I live near Jackson's Pumpkin Farm. As the farm prepares for thousands of people to come and visit over the next two months, I am reminded of when I won a pumpkin decorating contest in 3rd grade. The funny thing was, my pumpkin was the most ordinary looking pumpking! You know...the triangle eyes, one tooth mouth, triangle nose. I outlined each facial feature in black and then yellow paint. Don't get me wrong. It looked neat. But to win a contest? It felt to me like the more "artistic" pumpkins should have won.
But years later I think I know why my little pumpkin won: It wasn't trying to be anything other than what it was, a pumpkin! My fellow classmates actually appreciated the simplicity of the design I drew and showed that by casting their vote for it.
When something tries to be something its not, people see that right away. My pumpkin was authentically living out its pumpkinness!
When you go out into this great, big world, are you living into who you really are? Or do you find yourself painting over your God given features that make you, YOU...to become something you are not?
When we live authentically, we GAIN energy by living into who we are called to be. When we are not living authentically, we become frustrated. Exhausted. Even angry.
Who are YOU?
Life is a journey of self discovery! Go...and discover!! Don't get caught up in someone else's version of you. Don't waste time being something you are not for money, control, or to win someone over. In the end, it will kick you in the butt.
Within each of our personalities and lives, we have in us, God given gifts. Use them! If you know you are good at writing, then write! If you are really good with people, go out and be with people! If you are good with numbers, go work with numbers (while the rest of us stare at you in disbelief over the fact that you actually LIKE balancing your checkbook).
GO into this world and BE who God calls you to be.
And you know what? Even if you fall flat on your face sometimes (for example, do not ask me about the cut I currently have under my lip), at least you are being true to YOU and GOD. Isn't that really all that matters in the end?
But years later I think I know why my little pumpkin won: It wasn't trying to be anything other than what it was, a pumpkin! My fellow classmates actually appreciated the simplicity of the design I drew and showed that by casting their vote for it.
When something tries to be something its not, people see that right away. My pumpkin was authentically living out its pumpkinness!
When you go out into this great, big world, are you living into who you really are? Or do you find yourself painting over your God given features that make you, YOU...to become something you are not?
When we live authentically, we GAIN energy by living into who we are called to be. When we are not living authentically, we become frustrated. Exhausted. Even angry.
Who are YOU?
Life is a journey of self discovery! Go...and discover!! Don't get caught up in someone else's version of you. Don't waste time being something you are not for money, control, or to win someone over. In the end, it will kick you in the butt.
Within each of our personalities and lives, we have in us, God given gifts. Use them! If you know you are good at writing, then write! If you are really good with people, go out and be with people! If you are good with numbers, go work with numbers (while the rest of us stare at you in disbelief over the fact that you actually LIKE balancing your checkbook).
GO into this world and BE who God calls you to be.
And you know what? Even if you fall flat on your face sometimes (for example, do not ask me about the cut I currently have under my lip), at least you are being true to YOU and GOD. Isn't that really all that matters in the end?
Comments
Post a Comment