Tip of My Iceberg

She has two speeds–fully on, fully off.

When she’s on, she doesn’t sit. Even eating is a challenge with keeping her bum attached to her chair. Containment of any kind is anathema to her.

Kolly is just over two, and being quite verbal, she’s quick to tell everyone what she’s feeling and what precisely she’d like to do. Having entered the tremendously talented two’s ( I’d never call a grand of mine terrible), she’s learning autonomy of attitude and independence of action.

She’s learned what it means to have an opinion.

When Kolly is done, she turns off as if a switch had been flipped. Finding her asleep on Papa’s lap happened in a matter of minutes. It was quite fascinating to watch.

Kolly lives her whole life out loud. She doesn’t do anything halfway–she’s either all in or all out. She doesn’t hesitate to let you know which one she is.

There are two sides of me that many people aren’t always aware of. I come across as very upbeat, conversant, and encouraging. I too often consider myself the comic diversion in a group. Humor is a wonderful defense mechanism and often keeps people (and me) from dwelling on the tough and challenging.

But there’s a side of me that is more contemplative, more strategic. I’m not as comfortable with this side–I’m not always sure that others will accept my thoughts or ideas, so rather than risk rejection or misunderstanding, I keep it light.

King Asa of Judah acted the same way. He was a good king who did things which pleased the Lord, removing many of the altars to foreign gods and encouraging his people to follow the laws of God. However, he wasn’t thorough in ridding his country of idol worship. He followed God from a heart of love and devotion, but as king, he was responsible for his people, setting an example of faith and faithfulness. God spoke to him through the prophet Azariah.

“When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet, he took courage and removed all the detestable idols from the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, which stood in front of the entry room of the LORD’s temple.” 2 Chronicles 15:8

Asa went so far as to depose his own grandmother from her position as queen mother because she wouldn’t give up her false idols. A bold move on his part, but it showed that he wanted to serve his people well and be open to their needs but also chose to honor God. Two sides, both needed.

Kolly has two sides that are equally her–the rambunctious side that allows her to develop and learn, and her quiet side–read “sleep”–that gives her space to rest and grow,

My two sides are both me; I need to grow comfortable with sharing them equally so people can know the full me. Why have I hesitated? Fear of rejection? Fear of failure in trying things?

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Fear isn’t something I need to deal with.

The whole me is loved and strengthened by God.

Are you comfortable with the whole you?