Out of sorts, or a beautifully imperfect life?
My home is a work in progress as I am. I enjoy re-doing things, so it is awesome that we moved into an older home with a lot to re-do.
Or that is what one would think, right?
The problem is that I do not like things looking undone or half put together. If you are DIY’ing with time constraints and a limited budget, then you might as well get used to this for a while.
It’s reality.
Learning to be content with undone’s and half-done’s, while keeping motivated to finish one project at a time is not always easy.
So I am still peeling wallpaper in the kids bathroom as I get time. It’s taking sooooo long and the bathroom looks like a fight broke out in it. Patience, oh patience and time where art thou?
And why do I feel the need to explain to others why things are the way they are?
Why my house is not complete, or why this room has this rug in it that I do not even like anymore and yet I’m keeping it for now? Yeah, I’m tired of feeling the nudge to explain, so I’m trying not to.
Maybe you can relate.
[Tweet “We long to be known, loved and understood right where we are. Under the layers of life that we did not see coming.”]
We long to be known, loved and understood right where we are. Under the layers of life that we did not see coming. Just like styles and decor change, life changes too.
We weren’t ready for the transition the move brought, the job we didn’t ask for, our parents moving in with us, our child learning to drive, the job we didn’t ask for and this list could be a mile long.
We’re left picking up pieces of busted expectations, or trying to find new life for an old rug.
We’re feeling a bit out of sorts.
We can become more “undone” over time and, yet the messiness of it all can become pillars of strength – if we allow it to develop character in us. Character development is not fun, but all the benefits that come from it are worth the hard journey. So I guess I’m down for the ride, you?
Out of sorts, or a beautifully imperfect life and all of the above, yep that’s how I feel.
People may, no they will, judge. It’s okay even though it’s not. We might as well become okay with it, so we’re not jumping on the vicious cycle of human approval – it’s exhausting.
There is mystery in seeing someone’s now and wondering about their before and the journey they are on now. Everyone has a story, wisdom to share. We all can learn so much from each other.
Don’t give up on people. The ones that really care will stick around to explore who you truly are if you’ll let them in. They will look beyond the facade of perfection, past the undone that they might find, and see your heart.
They will look to find the best not the worst, and encourage you right where you are.
If your feeling out of sorts, know you are not alone.
This season has come strange and new, yet familiar. Step by step I’m seeing my faith take legs and walk, shaky and strong all at the same time, on a new path and in a new way.
It’s easier to trample fear when you’re moving forward in faith, keeping your eyes focused straight ahead. Fear has a way of being forced down beneath our feet with each step in the right direction, as freedom begins to sprout up.
Don’t stop moving forward, scared or not!
I like the “white and earth tones” minimalist look and all the different color coordinated Christmas decor too. Our Christmas tree has lot’s of red and green and white, along with colored lights and the sentiment each ornament holds.
It’s a mixture of sweet memories and all the Christmas colors. Nothing perfect, maybe a bit out of sorts too. Perfectly imperfect.
Lot’s of “undone’s” if you take a close look and yet this is us, with our misfit rug and all.
So if you feel like you do not fit in, know you are not alone.
I pray this Christmas is beautiful in it’s own way for each of us.
Just a reminder: the very first Christmas took place in a stinky old barn under the stars. The only thing that was perfect then and now, is the God who created all from nothing; the one who came low and became one of us.
Perfection came and clothed himself in imperfection, all to bring the most amazing gift anyone could give, salvation and freedom! This is finding true joy.
Merry Christmas to you, all of my sweet friends!
Let’s keep encouraging one another along the way!
With much grace and love,
Joelle Povolni
