This can be a dissatisfying place to stay. You stand there, on the outskirts of a group that you can't quite connect with. I feel like I've been there my whole life, a stray puzzle piece missing her puzzle. I mingle with a lot of different groups; one edge of my personality puzzle piece fits with the bloggers, another with the ballerinas, another with the church group, and so on. One of my biggest dreams is to fit- all of the way- with a group and let that group be my group, the place where I don't feel different, don't feel even a little bit on the outside.
Now I'm thinking that will never happen.
I've realized, however, that my mismatched personality is a gift, not a curse. To stand a bit aloof doesn't mean that I'm not important and doesn't mean I can't enjoy the company of others. My uniqueness doesn't need to hold me back; instead I should take joy in the fact that God's made me different, a puzzle piece completely unique.
In this state of uniqueness, I also have the opportunity to help the various groups that I almost fit in. I bring to them a splash of color that they didn't expect.
I'm a practical thinker in an artsy blog world.
I'm a balance seeker in the extreme of the ballet world.
I'm a passionate truth seeker, big-picture watcher, in a Church filled with opinions.
I'm different. Not better, not worse. Maybe one day I'll find the group that possesses all of the right edges for me, but until then, I will find joy in the outskirts, in the almosts. I will grow where God's planted me and help others to grow as well.
So here's to the stray puzzle pieces, the people who don't have a group, who don't quite fit in. Keep following Jesus, because He's making a home for you where you will fit so perfectly that you'll never leave!
"Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to rest his head.'" (Matthew 8:20)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were no so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:1-2)
God's grace be with you,
Princess Hannah
How much I can relate to this, Princess Hannah! I always am feeling like different friends I can relate to in different ways and I'm just waiting for that "perfect friend" to come along and we can be the most perfect friends ever...but maybe I should embrace the one's I have and not be discontent if I don't have the perfect one? Maybe God is teaching me that He is the only true perfect friend that can meet my every need? Maybe I need to stop waiting for the perfect one to come along and live life fully with the one's I do have...with each one that I can relate to differently. You have such wonderful thoughts on this topic!! And by the way that picture is so beautiful! You are beautiful inside and out! ♥
ReplyDeleteYES HANNAH!!!!! What you said about living fully with the friends we have instead of dreaming for the "perfect friends." And yes, I've discovered that we learn how to fully depend on Jesus when we don't have others to lean upon. Man, Hannah, your comment is so wise!
DeleteThis is absolutely beautiful! Hannah's comment pretty much sums up my thoughts as well, so I'll just stick to saying that I really needed to read this today. Thank you so much! <33
ReplyDeleteHannah's comment rocks!!!!! And I'm so glad that this encouraged you!
DeleteThis is awesome, Hannah! THIS is exactly how I've been feeling recently. Recently I've found 2 friends that, together, complement me exactly, which is awesome, but I really really really love this post.
ReplyDelete{witty and creative internet name that I haven't thought of yet}
rockandminerals4him.wordpress.com
I love hearing about people who find their friends, because that is one of the lovelier things of life! So happy for you!
DeleteHere's to the stray puzzle pieces!! Thank you for this post
ReplyDelete<3
Let's find joy together!
DeleteOh man, this is how I feel all the time. It can feel like I'm "too educated" (with a master of science degree) for the blog world and church, and yet "too religious" for the working world, and all too often "too quiet" for everyone. But there are pieces of me that fit into each of those groups and I do have friends who care about me and love me despite our differences so that is amazing and I'm so grateful. I feel like ever since high school, I've always had at least 1 "best friend" type person that I hang out with all the time, but lately I found myself longing for a group that I could connect with so this post really hit me. There may never be a "perfect" group for me till heaven so I just need to keep running after God and He'll take care of the rest. And I can take comfort in the fact that other people out there feel the same as I do.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes. It's super great to have those best friends, but part of us wants that stable community to lean on. When these communities don't meet our expectations, it can be hard. But the world isn't perfect, least of all people. We are called to love, not to find the perfect group. I love this comment! "Keep running after God and He'll take care of the rest."
Deleteyou're wonderful Hannah <3 thank you for sharing. I can relate in a lot of ways, but I know people who can fit in even more, if that makes sense. sometimes I feel like that, but I also know I can delude myself into thinking I dont fit in. when I actually fit in a lot of places. but my insecurities tell me I dont or that Im not wanted or Im too different.
ReplyDeletebeing different feels hard, and it is, but its beautiful.
"dont be afraid to stand out. thats how the lost get found/"-Britt Nicole :)
Faith, you brought up such a great point. Even when, from the outside, it looks like we fit in perfectly, there's always going to be part of us that doesn't feel like we've gotten "there." You are so right that not fitting in is beautiful. It shows that we are unashamed in our passions and personalities.
DeleteThat's a great quote! YES!
Not a lot of time to write down all my thoughts but thank you for writing this, I am glad someone can relate. I love our blogging community and your blog is great as well. Have an awesome day.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE OUR BLOGGING COMMUNITY TOO!!!! (even if my life is kinda like your comment, no time.)
DeleteI have definitely been feeling like this lately. Thanks for the encouraging post! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, or should I say weekend?!
With love and all joy,
Allie D.
www.alliesblogdesigns.blogspot.com
www.friendlovesatalltimes.blogspot.com
www.sincerelyallied.blogspot.com
www.spreadingmyjoy.blogspot.com
Aw, thanks for the comment Allie! And it has been a great weekend so far! How has yours been?
DeleteI feel this so deeply, wow. (Shocker, I relate to something that Hannah posts) I constantly have felt like I'm on the outskirts. Occasionally I'll finally feel like I fit in, only to have dynamics change and the group dissipates. I don't entirely fit into any of the groups, and I'm learning that that's okay. Hey, it just means that we get to experience lots of different people and things! I can't wait to find out the place that Jesus has for us, Hannah!!!
ReplyDeletep.s. I'm forever in awe of how beautiful you are. ♥♥♥
Hehe. I feel this give and pull of social ease. We change. Others change. In college this is really evident because there are always new people coming and old people going. But even when I was younger, a new friend came along who "stole" my friends. She ended up being my best friend, though, which is weird.
DeleteGrace, our groups don't define us. God defines us. Grace defines us. So let's define our groups and social expectations with the grace so abundantly poured out on us!
This posts relates to me so, so much, Hannah. I've felt that way so So many times in my life, and I've cried over it too. I've felt like I don't fit in anywhere. There are all these groups of people in my life, and while I fit in a little, I'm not completely, fully, 100% - me. And I hate that feeling. But one thing I've learned through all of that is that even though I may not be accepted or fit in with any group or whatever it may be, I fit in with God. And that gives me hope <3
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much, Hannah! (Also you are absolutely stunning, girl <3)
You have no idea how many times I've cried over this. So many times. I FEEL YOU. I learned this exact lesson in high school. He is our enough. He is our friend. He is our hope.
DeleteBut I'm learning now that I shouldn't give up on people and groups. I shouldn't assume that because I don't fit in that I can't give light and receive encouragement. I also should let my expectations meet grace.
Don't give up.
And thanks!
You just described me, seriously, honestly. This is how I've felt all my life too - just looking for the rest of the puzzle, for a group to call home, somewhere to belong.. So this post was so refreshing, especially this line: He's making a home for you where you will fit so perfectly that you'll never leave! I need to learn to find my sense of belonging in Him..
ReplyDeleteThanks again for this post, Hannah. You're a blessing. And it's so encouraging to be part of this community of blogger 'misfits.' xx
Jessica, you are so encouraging!!! Yes, you are NOT alone in this. And the fact that you find this community encouraging answers my prayers and rests my doubts!
Delete*COPIES AND PASTES THIS WHOLE POST INTO MY SOUL*
ReplyDeleteasdfghjkl; i cannot even do words right now because YOU SAID THIS ALL SO WELL. Perfectly written. You're not alone. <333333
love,
abbiee
THAT'S LIKE THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT.
DeleteThe strangest thing is that no one can guess that we feel that way. Your life looks amazing and artsy, a puzzle piece fitting in. But things look so much different on the inside. Thanks for the encouragement <3 <3 <3
THIS THOUGH. I don't think it is possible to express how I'm feeling right now in a more perfect way! This was absolutely gorgeous Hannah <3 I'm volunteering in an eye-hospital, and I know nothing about eyes (I'm teaching english) so I'm constantly surrounded by all these people who are so passionate about eye care whereas I'm like ??? haha. I definitely agree that it is a huge blessing to be different- how boring would the world be if everyone was the same and thought the same way? SO boring.
ReplyDeleteLoved this! <3
Anne // www.aportraitofyouth.co.uk
So beautiful and so true! :D
ReplyDelete-Ellie
www.uniquelyyou1.blogspot.com