“Is normality getting dressed in the clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic jams in the car that you are still paying for, in order to get to the job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, the car, and especially, the house that you leave empty all day in order to live in it?”  Ellen Goodman

How do you react when accused of being “not normal?”

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  (Psa. 139:14; NKJ)

Ever had anybody say, “You’re not normal?”  If you’re like most of us, it probably happened more times than you’d like to remember.  Especially since a comment like that usually comes from your family or close friends, it hurts, doesn’t it?  However, that may be one of the best compliments you’ll ever receive.  Huh??? 

What is normal, anyway?  Is normal good?  Is it bad to be “not normal?”  Dictionary.com defines normal as “conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.”  

However, it seems that God’s idea is to make all things different.  Observe that nothing is the same on this planet.  Our DNA is different, our finger prints are different, and the hairs on our heads are different. Grains of sand, blades of grass, snowflakes… nothing at all on this planet was created exactly the same.  Even identical twins are not the same.  Shucks, even the left side of your face is not the same as your right side.

It’s almost been like a put-down that you’re different from everybody else…but the reality is, it was by design that you’re not like everybody else.  When you understand this you quickly see that those who called you “not normal” were simply trying to keep you in the same box that they (and so many others) are in.  Man creates boxes…not God.

When you accept the limitation (and it is indeed just that…a self-imposed limitation) of being normal, i.e., just like everybody else, you discard the unique giftings, abilities, and characteristics that God purposely designed into you.  I believe it’s God’s intention that we rise above normal and be excited to be that person we were called to be.  Think about any really great man or woman in history.  Were they normal?  I think not!

Prayer Power
Lord, pour out Your grace on me as I break that spirit of being so concerned about what others think of me.  I am definitely not normal!!!  I thank You that I’m not normal!  For I am indeed fearfully and wonderfully made.  Marvelous indeed are Your works…and my soul does know that very well.
 
Link of the Day
Are You Normal?  What Is Normal?

Blessings on you as you enjoy a very “not normal” day.