I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it lately, but I’m writing a Bible study and journal on the Book of Sirach. I’m actually in the final stages and the thought of considering a book cover totally stumped me. I want it to reflect me…you…our faith…St. Therese…beautiful womanhood…God’s masterpieces. But what does that look like to me? Hmmm? “I know,” I thought, “I’ll find myself on Pinterest!”
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No, for real, Pinterest. I created a board, “Who Am I?” and I started pinning purses, color palettes, web designs, illustrations and digital papers/wallpapers to see if I could find a pattern in the things I liked, the colors and textures that are pleasing to my eye and even my soul.
Going through my board honestly surprised me. If you scroll through my board, I like floral prints. Before creating this visual interpretation of my likes and dislikes, I don’t know that I would have described myself as a floral person. I’ve also learned I like color. There are very few neutral color palettes on my Pinterest board. Again, pretty surprising considering I wear a lot of browns, blacks and muted colors. And so far, there is only one board with Fall colors. I always considered myself a Fall/Farm/Rustic color person.
I started thinking about my findings, which in the beginning I considered as purely frivolous. But the more I thought about them, I began to consider myself as God created me to be. Does that make sense? I began to see my likes in dislikes in the context of seeing how He created each one of us with our own unique likes and dislikes for a reason.
The world contains so much beauty…so much of the fingerprint of God and we each have our favorites right. We each have our own unique way to see and appreciate God. Some are drawn to the beauty of a bare desert landscape, with muted tones of browns found in the sand and the blues of the sky. Others are drawn the earthy tones of mountains and succulents while other prefer the colors of prairie grasses and wildflowers. And yet still others love seeing the urban colors found in the middle of a bustling city.
This exercise of “finding myself” on Pinterest has honestly been enjoyable. It’s given me a larger view of the things I find visually appealing. This larger view will be helpful to me in my everyday life and even financially. I may be initially drawn the thick, dark woolen sweater, but a quick scroll of my Pinterest board will reveal purchasing it may be a mistake and thus a waste of money. Most likely it would be rarely worn. I might like the idea of a classic black KitchenAid mixer but looking through my “eye candy” board as I call it sometimes, I might be aesthetically happier with a mixer in a lovely pastel or vibrant primary color. Knowing what I like, if I have a choice, especially when it comes to big purchases, can save me some discontent in the long run.
Lest you think this post was all frivolity, I hope I showed that frivolity aside: God is a marvelous creator of all that is beautiful and beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder…I like the bright yellow and or the white puffiness of Dandelions while my husband sees weeds, lol! Knowing our unique likes and dislikes can actually save us money and that is not frivolous! I might think I like bright red stilettos but know myself well enough to know I’m more of a pretty Croc kind of girl.
ellen donais says
And how boring it would be if we all liked the same few things–or had only a few to choose from! The average human eye can distinguish six million colors! Crazy,right? All just proof God wants us to be happy with the many gifts he offers us. Thank you, Jenny, for keeping us on the correct path….healing and happy with God.
Jenny says
SIX MILLION!!! Wow! I had no idea A)we could do that and B) there were that many color variations. I’ve overwhelmed by thoughts of how BIG and great God is!
Michelle says
Wow, I really love this post. When you heal, you just want the same for all those around you.
It’s never too late to come into what God has created us to be. Remember my silly word of the year? Well, God has been gently hammering my word from Heaven. Restore.
Jenny says
My friend, I am so happy to see this restoration our loving God has been working in you. So very true, it is never too late to come into what God has created us to be.
Lux G. says
Oh, I couldn’t agree more. Everything God creates is beautiful, even when the world says otherwise. 🙂
Jenny says
I would almost counter, especially if the world says otherwise, lol!
Holly says
Jenny,
It’s me again, Holly (on the dark road of self revelation), and I love this idea. I too have pondered how God has given us all unique likes and dislikes that somehow work into His Plan for the world. Our likes and disslikes draw like minds together, create friendships and even marriage partners (then children). Not only do these things, but even our looks, the placement of one’s eyes or size of one’s nose, can have its effect on the world. God’said design is perfect. 🙂
Jenny says
What a beautiful thought trail of drawing like minds together to create families. My children and I will sometimes wonder and laugh at God’s design…2 eyes…1 nose…ears on the side of our head, belly buttons, etc…