Personality Transplant, Anyone?
Well Tuesdays was my SITS feature day, as you know. So now, after so many wonderful and kind people have visited my blog (and commented, YAY!) in addition to the already wonderful people who visit my blog I feel a teensy bit of pressure to write something really good!
I got nothing.
What I can share with you is a minor epiphany I had in the car this morning. Today was my last day at the Women’s Biblestudy at our church where we have worked and worshipped for just over 4 years.
I was praying as I drove that God would help me get through the morning – you know, to finish well. I was praying that I would be gentle, patient, gentle, kind, gentle…you get the picture. Basically all the things I am not by nature…or personality. Then it was like a lightbulb moment, but I suspect it was actually more the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit, who pointed out that it was more than a little ridiculous to ask for a personality transplant any time I need to work through a difficult situation or have a tough conversation (which is basically what I do). More than that, it was a bit like praying to win the lottery and not buying ticket (NOT that I am advocating that…back to the point).
It then occurred to me that it would be far more useful to pray for God to use me as he made me, in just a more Godly fashion that I may, of my own volition, offer. See, I am a loud, brick through the (front!) window blunt, assertive (read confrontational), did I mention loud(?) person by nature! Praying for gentleness is not that useful.
So instead I asked God to help me be careful, thoughtful and gracious in my words and actions.
Careful, thoughtful and gracious. I get the feeling that’s something God can work with.
(sorry about any typos or grammatical errors, girl is crying – gotta run!)
Mummble
Stitch Baby + Kids
This is a beautiful post Louisa and I loved that you had that kind of epiphany.
Can I ask why it was your last day or have I missed something along the lines? BTW I have applied to do a Masters in theology after your advice. I’ll let you know if I get in!
Hey Sarah, I’m revisiting this post long after I first wrote it and realising I never replied to you. We changed churches for a number of reasons and so I was finishing up with the Biblestudy.
Lou I think you’re selling yourself short here! I have seen times of gentleness in you for sure.
For people who are quiet by nature, there’s a natural peaceful gentleness that is just there all the time, but in louder personalities like yours, I see a ‘powerful gentleness’ that comes out in long nighttime conversations or in Bible studies etc.
It’s not unreasonable for anyone to pray for gentleness, since it’s a fruit of the Spirit that can grow in all believers, it just might not look like what you think it does!
Those times when you’re listening and empathising with a friend, or putting aside your own agenda for the conversation in order to allow the other person to talk through something, that’s you showing gentleness and I have seen that so many times in you!!
I haven’t seen you with the mini Miss (yet!) but I have no doubt you are super gentle and kind with her.
I love that you embrace your loudness, and just want to be used through that big personality, but don’t put yourself down for not being naturally gentle and kind. You are, you’re just not quiet! LOL
Ok I’ll shut up now.
Ads, you’re just gorgeous!
After reading this…I believe we could be friends in real life…you are my kind of people. This was an awesome and candid post. Thanks so much for sharing it with your readers.
I’m so sorry for the very tardy reply here but thank you for your very kind words!
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