So I was out to dinner with friends for a birthday celebration and this subject came up...and it was that uhhh moment again. The disappointment, anger and then shame you feel for letting it get to you! I mean there are horrific things going on right around me and I'm totally shutting down because this stinkin' swim suit did not even come close to fitting, not even for the purpose of "I'll just wear it on my deck or on a vacation where no one knows me!" I tried on some jeans this week and I'm SURE this designer has never experienced childbirth (most women do not have the hips of a 12 year old) or has known the joy of raw chocolate chip cookie dough!
Okay we're trapped. What do we do? We try to make things fit. Pins, glue, duct tape, spray paint, dry wall, clothes pins and pipe cleaners are just a few examples of getting an outfit to fit or stay put. We have a legitimate need for the clothes to fit, but we try every ill-fitting and illegitimate way to make it fit. Even if a makeshift outfit looks good from one angle or position, it doesn't present a whole or complete picture of you. Plus, you can never turn around. You're confined to a specific role. You are limited. You are bound up. You, yes you, who are fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14 God is saying, "Let Me do the work. I have fashioned, created and designed you." Design is defined as "to plan out, intend, purpose". God is truly the master designer. He planned out your life with intention and purpose. Why would we want to mess with that? Why do we keep finding ways to make things fit or work, even temporarily? We love quick fixes. Buy something now that will fit later....or later.
Do you all have "goal'' clothes hanging in your closet? I know you do! You know, clothes with the tags still on, from 2004? Hey, there's nothing wrong with that! I have a few too! When I just get to a certain place, size or season in life then I'll wear this. This can keep us from walking in our purpose now! We're waiting for this and that to fit, and comparing ourselves to everyone else around us. We're trying to wear or "be" something that looks good on someone else. Another person's gifting, purpose or path is not ours. It will only frustrate and keep us going back to the fitting room. We're either not DOING anything in order for them to fit, or we're not WALKING in what we're fitted for!
I'm putting away my winter coats, ( yes, I know it's June) because I'm not going to wear them in this season. It would be inappropriate to wear a heavy coat now, but that's what we do when we try and tell God what season we're in. Spring is a beautiful time, new life and hope. But if you're in a fall season, you can't keep the leaves from changing colors, and the wind blowing a little colder. You can't shut down the beauty that is in you. God has intention for you here and now. If you're not where or what or who you want to be, stay in the fitting room. Don't be in a hurry. Let Him do His Work. He is measuring you, pining, and making alterations. Let Him finish what He has started. He is the Author and Finisher of your faith and your life. And you know what? Life's alterations never stop! Be encouraged...Janna
Would love to hear everyone's stories regarding fitting rooms. Tell me your funniest and most painful moments. Comment on the blog or email me @ jannapastin@comcast.net
3 comments:
SO great Janna. OMG! -- "We're trying to wear or "be" something that looks good on someone else. Another person's gifting, purpose or path is not ours. It will only frustrate and keep us going back to the fitting room." Wow. And: "It would be inappropriate to wear a heavy coat now, but that's what we do when we try and tell God what season we're in." -- Sooo good, girl. I am going to wade around in this for a while. -- Love you!!
love the blog...boo to fiitting rooms. all i'm gonna say is don't go into ANY dressing room of ANY kind for at least 6 months after you have had a baby...it will just bring the tears and ice cream on faster than you can get into your stretchy black pants and veg on the couch!
seriously, though...i loved the part about us trying to wear spring when we are in fall...good for me to hear right. i'm wearing the clothes of motherhood proudly, but longing to fit into some other things as well. i need to step back and appreciate the perfectly fitted season i'm in right now!
I had to read this blog 2x. It is so me at this "Stalled" time in my life. I feel like one of those lost or misfit characters from the Christmas movie. With all that is going on in my life right now, I know that I am supposed to "BE STILL" and listen for His word. Feeling so lost and like such a nothing, that is such a hard thing to do - but I do know that His will shall be done in His time and not my time. My season just has not arrived yet. Thank you for reminding me of that... and that I will okay.
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