Been thinking about our need as humans for
LOVE & ACCEPTANCE.
We do crazy things to get these needs met!!
Before Coach, before Dooney Burke, Or Michael Kors...there was Aigner, Weejuns & shopping at Arnold's. In our small, southern town the Who's Who shopped at Arnold's. (Hoptown girls, can I get an Amen?)
LOVE & ACCEPTANCE.
We do crazy things to get these needs met!!
Before Coach, before Dooney Burke, Or Michael Kors...there was Aigner, Weejuns & shopping at Arnold's. In our small, southern town the Who's Who shopped at Arnold's. (Hoptown girls, can I get an Amen?)
Arnold's had a big sale. I found this beautiful, classy, cream colored, button- up long sleeved, wool tunic-top with a tie waist. A very popular girl at school wore one just like this. I had to have it! This top would get me noticed by her and accepted into her crowd. The fate of my social status was on this hanger. It was a pricey item and ALL SALES WERE FINAL.
The next morning, I couldn't wait to get dressed. I slipped one arm in...then the other...started to button up...and then it happened. What??? NOOO! I expected angel choirs and a bright light glowing from the button holes...but this was not in my vision! I quickly took it off and read the tag. The tag said, "This garment is made from itchy, prickly, scratchy, irritatingly miserable 100% WOOL. Now, I've been a cotton-girl since I was old enough to say, "This dress itches." What could have possibly blinded me to this??
So, here I stood in my shroud of pain trying to remember it's magical powers. Pressing on, I twitched & wiggled all day to keep it from touching me. Then it happened!! I saw her coming down the hall. It was a miracle!! She had her top on!! But, she wasn't miserable or itching. She was laughing & smiling as she walked RIGHT PAST ME not even noticing what I was wearing. WHAT??? I circled back to the water fountain...making sure she saw me & the top.
Still---nothing. All I could think of as I scratched my neck was....ALL SALES ARE FINAL!!
A lady named Sara waTs married to a guy named Abraham. Every woman in town had a baby...not Sara. It was not socially acceptable for a woman of her age not to have a child. She was shunned and rejected by the others. Then, she thought of an awesome plan. She told Abraham to go sleep with her maid and get her pregnant, then she would take the baby as her own. What could possibly go wrong? (sidenote: funny how Abraham didn't speak up & say, Sara, this is a stupid plan.) Now, before you think this is an episode of Devious Maids, this is from the Bible, Genesis 16. Sara wanted love and acceptance.
We all want to find where we "fit". Where we are loved & accepted. Where our thoughts, feelings, gifts, strengths are valued & utilized. Where our flaws & faults are covered and our broken places are mended.
Hopefully we are aware of those moments when we are tempted to lay down or "dumb-down" our talents, gifts & personality. When we are asked to compromise our ethics, morals & convictions so we can pretend to "fit". When we realize we have put on something itchy & miserable.
Thankfully ALL SALES ARE NOT FINAL!! In those moments we become aware of when we are asked to change who we are to be accepted we have the power of choice. To stop & say (in your best Kentucky accent) "This ain't me y'all, I'm gonna bounce!!"
I try hard to stay CLEAR & awake to what I buy into...because I'm a SUCKER FOR A SALE!!
The next morning, I couldn't wait to get dressed. I slipped one arm in...then the other...started to button up...and then it happened. What??? NOOO! I expected angel choirs and a bright light glowing from the button holes...but this was not in my vision! I quickly took it off and read the tag. The tag said, "This garment is made from itchy, prickly, scratchy, irritatingly miserable 100% WOOL. Now, I've been a cotton-girl since I was old enough to say, "This dress itches." What could have possibly blinded me to this??
So, here I stood in my shroud of pain trying to remember it's magical powers. Pressing on, I twitched & wiggled all day to keep it from touching me. Then it happened!! I saw her coming down the hall. It was a miracle!! She had her top on!! But, she wasn't miserable or itching. She was laughing & smiling as she walked RIGHT PAST ME not even noticing what I was wearing. WHAT??? I circled back to the water fountain...making sure she saw me & the top.
Still---nothing. All I could think of as I scratched my neck was....ALL SALES ARE FINAL!!
A lady named Sara waTs married to a guy named Abraham. Every woman in town had a baby...not Sara. It was not socially acceptable for a woman of her age not to have a child. She was shunned and rejected by the others. Then, she thought of an awesome plan. She told Abraham to go sleep with her maid and get her pregnant, then she would take the baby as her own. What could possibly go wrong? (sidenote: funny how Abraham didn't speak up & say, Sara, this is a stupid plan.) Now, before you think this is an episode of Devious Maids, this is from the Bible, Genesis 16. Sara wanted love and acceptance.
We all want to find where we "fit". Where we are loved & accepted. Where our thoughts, feelings, gifts, strengths are valued & utilized. Where our flaws & faults are covered and our broken places are mended.
Hopefully we are aware of those moments when we are tempted to lay down or "dumb-down" our talents, gifts & personality. When we are asked to compromise our ethics, morals & convictions so we can pretend to "fit". When we realize we have put on something itchy & miserable.
Thankfully ALL SALES ARE NOT FINAL!! In those moments we become aware of when we are asked to change who we are to be accepted we have the power of choice. To stop & say (in your best Kentucky accent) "This ain't me y'all, I'm gonna bounce!!"
I try hard to stay CLEAR & awake to what I buy into...because I'm a SUCKER FOR A SALE!!