I am enjoying the first of a stretch of 6 out of 7 days off from my day job, nursing. It is one of the best perks of being a nurse, flexibility in scheduling. As I eased into the day with my wonderful Kona coffee I dreamed that this stretch of days off would return my life to normalcy following the three week “book tour” and the subsequent getting back into work mode. Maybe, just maybe, I thought to myself I can get normal back. Then I laughed to myself. My life hasn’t been normal for a long time. Followed by the thought… has it EVER been normal? What is normal? Do I want normal? So… I posted “normalcy is overrated” in my facebook status, apparently touching a spot in several friends hearts, judging from the “likes” that appeared.
After puttering around a bit online and off I determined that my brain fog may be relieved by a short nap. As often happens, the brain doesn’t stop and I woke up mulling over the normalcy dilemna again… and as with all dilemna’s I revert to the pattern I was taught at home as a child. “What does God say in the Bible about it,” my Daddy’s voice says in my head.
The Bible principle for “normalcy”. What is it? Normal… no, I don’t pull any childhood memorizations to the front…(I even looked in the Concordance… no “normal” in the Bible.) How about synonyms. “Routine”… no, “average”… no, “just like everyone else”… definitely not! Synonyms weren’t working… how about trying antonyms!
“Abnormal”… no. “Above average”… hummmm… “Excellent”…. BINGO.
I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:8
I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14a
Whatsoever things are true…, honest… just… pure… lovely… of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Even as I type this more and more verses are popping into my head. None of them speak of normalcy.
We are not called to be “normal”. At least not by the world’s standards. We are called to be all God made us to be! God created each of us with unique fingerprints, unique personalities, unique abilities, and even unique disabilities. ALL OF US are created by the Creator for a purpose.
The question isn’t are we normal… the question is are we being who GOD wants us to be. Maybe instead of maintaining normalcy, I should be striving for faithfulness. Now there’s a word that’s in the Bible!