I recently had the opportunity to get to know a woman who I had only briefly crossed paths with in the past. As I got to know her a little better, I began to realize that she was much different than the person I created her to be in my head. You see, this person did not fit the mold. Yes, she was very similar to me: same age, same stage of life, same nationality, same race, etc, etc. She didn't, however, fit the norm for the setting we were in if that makes sense. It wasn't a bad thing; just different. As I listened to her and got to know her a little better, I gained so much appreciation and respect for her. In that moment, I realized that all too often, I try to force people and life to fit a particular mold.
Don't we all do this from time-to-time? We see someone, meet them in a brief moment, or hear an opinion of a friend rushing to judgement throwing that person out because he or she does not fit the mold. Our molds are created based on where we live, the culture of our society and towns, the patterns and norms as we grew up, and our own expectations we place on ourselves. We don't even realize we have created a mold until someone doesn't fit.
We create molds for our lives, as well. We have certain expectations and visions of how life should pan out. We often find ourselves frustrated and disappointed when our lives don't fit into the molds we created. When I was a teenager, I knew I would be married and have two kids (a boy and a girl) by my mid-twenties. I also said I would always live by the coast. Obviously, that didn't work out for me. My life did not fit into the mold I created when I was 16. And thank goodness it didn't!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you." Jeremiah 29:11 (emphasis mine)
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
God has our story written. He created each of us. The only mold he used was himself. Trying to force people and life into molds we create is like trying to replicate a snowflake. It is almost impossible and can lead to intense frustration. When we accept who the Creator is, we can accept begin to accept the people and the life story He has for us. We often cause ourselves unnecessary heartache because we are trying to fit a square peg into a circle.
I was awakened to the realization that I have molds. I have expectations that limit people and life and my interactions with both because of my preconceived ideas. I thought I was an open-minded person. I found out through my experience that I put limits on others and my life because of the molds that I created. I do not always give space for things that fall outside of my molds and that needs to change. I need to change.
God created the universe in all its splendor. It would behoove me to let go of the molds I created for they only limit His capacity in my life. Next time someone or something doesn't fit my mold, I will try not to be so dismissive. I will allow the creativity of the Creator have his place in my life and let him blow me away with his magnificent wonder.
Genesis 1:1-31
~Be Inspired to live outside the mold
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Don't we all do this from time-to-time? We see someone, meet them in a brief moment, or hear an opinion of a friend rushing to judgement throwing that person out because he or she does not fit the mold. Our molds are created based on where we live, the culture of our society and towns, the patterns and norms as we grew up, and our own expectations we place on ourselves. We don't even realize we have created a mold until someone doesn't fit.
We create molds for our lives, as well. We have certain expectations and visions of how life should pan out. We often find ourselves frustrated and disappointed when our lives don't fit into the molds we created. When I was a teenager, I knew I would be married and have two kids (a boy and a girl) by my mid-twenties. I also said I would always live by the coast. Obviously, that didn't work out for me. My life did not fit into the mold I created when I was 16. And thank goodness it didn't!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you." Jeremiah 29:11 (emphasis mine)
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
God has our story written. He created each of us. The only mold he used was himself. Trying to force people and life into molds we create is like trying to replicate a snowflake. It is almost impossible and can lead to intense frustration. When we accept who the Creator is, we can accept begin to accept the people and the life story He has for us. We often cause ourselves unnecessary heartache because we are trying to fit a square peg into a circle.
I was awakened to the realization that I have molds. I have expectations that limit people and life and my interactions with both because of my preconceived ideas. I thought I was an open-minded person. I found out through my experience that I put limits on others and my life because of the molds that I created. I do not always give space for things that fall outside of my molds and that needs to change. I need to change.
God created the universe in all its splendor. It would behoove me to let go of the molds I created for they only limit His capacity in my life. Next time someone or something doesn't fit my mold, I will try not to be so dismissive. I will allow the creativity of the Creator have his place in my life and let him blow me away with his magnificent wonder.
Genesis 1:1-31
~Be Inspired to live outside the mold
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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