I love book stores. But I don’t like to read. I love the smell of cinnamon waffle cones being prepared in an ice cream parlor. But I don’t like to eat cinnamon or waffle cones. I love the smell of freshly ground coffee. But I don’t like the taste of coffee. I enjoy beautiful landscaping. But I don’t have any interest in creating beautiful landscapes. I love good food. But I don’t like to cook. I could go on and on.
The perplexity that is me relates to you, because you, if you would take the time to think about it, are exactly the same way. There are things in your life that you love, but in which you have little to no interest in actually doing or making or eating. You find yourself enjoying places and things that only connect with you on some other kind of level. Things that are outside of your actual patterns, habits, likes or comforts. We are truly a weird lot.
Now, for some things you already know the answer to the question, “Why?” I love the smell of freshly ground coffee because it takes me back to my childhood. I remember going to the A&P with my mother, early in the morning, while they were grinding their very own coffee in the store. The smell of the coffee, combined with the security that I felt with my mother, has birthed in me a peaceful, easy feeling whenever I smell coffee. Even though I don’t like to drink it.
Yet, for all of the others there is still the mystery of “Why?” I am sure there are deeply planted reasons, like my mother, freshly ground coffee and a peaceful easy feeling, for all of my likes, dislikes, loves and idiosyncrasies. Yet, is the illusive answer to the “Why?” question really the point?
Maybe it’s enough for you and I to simply tip our hat to our weirdness, our likes and our dislikes. No deeper thought, just a simple recognition of their being. For in the recognition of their being I, and you, recognize, in a fantastically intimate way, just how real, unique and special that we all happen to be.
We aren’t clones or robots. We are uniquely created, gifted and embraced individuals. We have a story to live and to tell. Our stories are filled with things that we can’t explain. We just know them to be true for us in this place and at this time. We are weird, in a perfect way. We are who we are and there has never been anyone else like us and there will never be anyone exactly like us ever again. When God made you, he broke the mold!
“So here is what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for God.” (Romans 12:1)