Uniquely His
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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well” Psalm 139:14 (NIV).
I’m a military brat. I grew up with free movies, swim lessons and coast-to-coast moves. One might argue relocating nearly every year is detrimental to a child. I lump the experience into the benefit category because God placed me in specific circumstances to uniquely mold me. I am blessed to have been a military child.
Growing up in the military gave me a wide scope of the world. Every time my father received transfer orders, the family planned stopping points during the move. I appreciated the variety and splendor of forests, parks and seashores. I learned the difference between the ear tassels of the Kiabab squirrel and the ear-tufted Abert’s squirrel of the Rocky Mountains. I explored the waters of the Blue Ridge that ran cold and clear and the Mississippi that ran dark and muddy. I have seen the red mud of Louisiana and the sandy soils of North Carolina. I discovered the difference between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Each experience shaped my personality and emotions.
I’ve learned to make friends easily and say goodbye when necessary. Each time we’d move, I’d wave goodbye to a best friend but look forward with the excitement to making new friends at the next location. I learned to converse easily, became outgoing and grew comfortable talking to anyone, no matter how different.
That’s why I don’t mind walking over to say hello to a new visitor at church. I know how they feel. I’ve learned to bring a person into an established group by introducing her to a third person. There’s nothing worse than entering a room of strangers and not feeling welcomed.
When my father retired from the Marines in 1968, I admit part of me was saddened. No more safely hopping on my bike to explore the military base with friends. No more walks to the outdoor theater a few blocks away. No more cross-country trekking with stops at state and national parks. No more neighbors who weren’t afraid to tell you “stop that” when you were up to no good. On base, no mother hesitated to step out her front door and tell you to stop throwing a football around the cars. Okay, maybe that wasn’t a benefit at the time. But as an adult, I see it that way now.
It wasn’t until I went to public school that I realized there were people with different colored skin. There, I saw segregation. Black children sat together at lunch. Asians hung together at recess. That was an odd thing for me after growing up on bases where this didn’t occur. It wasn’t that everyone was one ethnicity on base. I just never noticed the difference. We were all kids, all friends. There was no separation. I’d learned to accept others’ uniqueness, recognizing that I appeared different to them. It never mattered. One hung out with another kid because they were fun or had a similar interest. Race was not part of the equation of friendship on military bases.
We are all different. We may think we’re the norm, but we’re not. No one is. God made each of us unique – physically and emotionally. He chose a specific nation, region, state, city, school and family for each of His creations. Every choice He made for my life makes me unique for His glory.
Questions: What experiences contribute to your uniqueness? What event in your life does God plan to use for His glory?
About the Author Gail Morris
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I am so pleased that you shared this devotional with me. My husband and I have really enjoyed getting to know you and your mother while living here in the same complex as you. Our lives are certainly enriched through knowing you.
[...] Power to Change » Devotional For Women [...]
Jeannetta, Sherry & Jane,
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all your comments. I’m so blessed to have all of you in my life.
Gail Morris
Gail:
You are an amazing lady in so many ways and your devotional is proof in only a small way. You have always been one of my dearest and closest friends and been there when no one else was—honestly in some of my lowest of low times when most people don’t even step up to the plate. I admire your tenacity and approach to life and devotion to God. You continue to be our teacher. I look forward to many more readings—keep up the good work.
Now I understand what makes you so special. I most fully agree with you that our life experiences make us or break us. With all of lifes struggles; they will either make us or break us. God has used many a hard situation to shape and mold me. I’m very greatful for them all, this side of the journey. Sometimes the hardest things we live through are the things that change us the most. Without God’s perspective on them we can wilt; I’m just greatful to have him showing me the path. Each has a unique journey and yours made you quite lovely!!
WOW! You never cease to amaze me! I truly enjoyed reading this and thank you for making me aware of this. I look forward to reading more in the future. You are definitely a blessing in my life and everyone that is lucky enough to meet you!
Thank you for your kind words, Trish! You always welcome others with your bubbly personality and infectious smile. I’m sure your kids will be the same more and more as they grow. You’re a great mother!
Hey girl! I never knew all that about you! What a cool story! I like the part that you turned something such as moving constantly and leaving best friends and a neat town into a positive adventure — meeting new friends and learning about new places and things. My dad was a hotel manager and we moved a lot too…there were some towns that I didn’t want to leave (Austin!)…but glad I did cause I’m here in Fort Worth and love it and the life that I lead! I also like the part of your story about how you welcome strangers in your Church. I go lots of places where I do not feel welcome and I feel out of place and I am ready to leave because there’s not many people like you who will approach a stranger and welcome them. I wish there were more like you Gail! I think I’ll try your approach by welcoming new visitors in my community. I will also teach my children the same values and hopefully they will do the same.
Good job girlfriend!! Love, Trish :)
Thank you Phyl! I love that you are one of two of my “oldest” girlfriends – since high school! I’d love to hear from others – who is your “oldest” buddy and where did you meet?
Sherri, I’m so glad you related to my words. I know your ability to relate to so many different personalities is due to your military experience. I also know you have a heart that is open to what and who God places on your path. Glad our paths have crossed.
Outstanding! Way to go Gail. YOU are truely unique and certainly someone special in God’s eyes.
Thank you so much for sharing.
AND congratuations.
Wow…beautifully said! I felt like I was reading my life. I too (as you know) grew up as a military brat (Air Force). I often talk about the many places I was blessed to visit growing up. We lived on Guam during the Viet Nam war and visited China, Japan, Hong Kong and many more. We too moved every two years. I never knew what it was like to have friends from 1st grade through H.S. like my girls do. I definitely relate to the segregation statement. One of my many best friends at a young age was black…but color never came up. We were ALL military brats. Color or race was never mentioned…even back in the early 70s. I moved to Louisiana in H.S. and for the first time….noticed the same issues. Groups of people sitting together. It was surreal. But my experiences helped me bridge the gap between the blacks and whites and friendships grew without color. I know that growing up in the church (my grandaddy was a preacher) kept me centered on what is important. God and Family. No matter where our travels took us…two things were constant…my family was together…and God was always there. That never changed…and to this day…it is still true. I was a greeter at our church for several years until God placed me in with the Jr. and H.S. youth. My life experiences helped me encourage the youth and walk them through the trials of teenage friendships and to understand that friendships are important but can be fleeting at their age…but God and Family will always be there.
Our life experiences do make us unique, but sharing our faith with others makes us one. Thanks Gail for sharing.
Thank you, Sharon and Julie. Susan, it sounds like your holiday time will be busy with family gathering in bunches. Fun! I agree with you – hospitality is a lost art. For those of us who have the knack, I think it’s important to lead by example in this area.
In His Grip, Gail
thank you
I grew up in a large family. My mother had 10 siblings who all had about 6 kids each. My Dad had 4 siblings who each had kids. I have 5 siblings myself. We grew up not having such, but a lot of love to go around. I lived in the same house until I married. Nursing school had brought me out of my shell. I had also had a few other important God-given opportunities, like taking piano lessons. All these were molding me into becoming a pastor’s wife. My family had sang together all my life and still do on rare occasions. At age 45, we moved to another state and for the first time in my life, I lived more than 5 miles from my parents. I also had to learn to trust God with our two oldest children who stayed behind in college. A couple of years later, two of our sons joined the military within 3 months of each other. Two more years later, we moved to yet another state and can certainly sympathize with all the folks out there who weren’t made to feel welcome in a church. In my opinion, hospitality is a lost art. I crave to go back to a church where people are loving and welcoming. I have decided that we must join a church and become it’s greeter, so that others will feel welcome. Off the subject, but it’s a good reminder that we go to God’s house to worship Him, and not just to feel welcomed, but true fellowship is so sweet. After all, aren’t we all sisters and brothers. Anyway, yes, God has and is molding me. And I pray I’m never too old and hard to not conform to the potter’s hands.
Awesome Gail- perfectly made point- we are uniquely His and wonderfully made. Your life reflects that. Thanks!