How Many You's are There?

Growing up a I was a ballerina.

Not just a little kid who took ballet, I was the real deal for a while there. When I was 12 I auditioned for Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive, I had no idea what it even was, but my dear ballet teacher told me to audition and I did what she said! I was accepted to a trainee level on scholarship and I will never forget her reaction when I told her. I still had no idea what a big deal this was. This was the beginning of my ballet "me".

I worked hard for years, and for years my hard work paid off. I made many memories and friends being a dancer. I see pictures of who I once was and think "I remember that day". I remember my fears that day, or my excitement. I remember the smell of the hairspray and the sweaty ballet slippers. I remember always being a ball of nerves backstage and then the second those lights hit my face I was in another world. It was a world where I felt beautiful and passionate. I felt special.

But, there was always more to me than being a dancer.

It was my sophomore year of high school when I met David Strode. I can't even tell you how or why we became friends but we did. We bonded as friends instantly. I felt safe with him. I felt special with him. I felt I had a best friend in him that I have never found in anyone else. Fast forward four years and we were married. That was is wife/friend "me".

I love to sing. I wouldn't say I am the best singer. I can carry a tune in a bucket. I love belting out for the Lord. I love it! But I don't train for it, I don't think about the next time someone is going to ask me to sing for a wedding or a church service, but it is a love and it is a part of me. That is the singer "me"

I adore being a caregiver. To my children or my foster babies. Oh man it just makes my soul complete knowing I am caring for children, not perfectly or without fault. But I am doing the best I can on any given day. I make sacrifices for my children, I make sure I am leading by example the way I would want them to behave someday as an adult. There isn't anything I would not do for the children who live under our roof. That's the mom "me".

I love to encourage. My friends and family know this about me. If you are going through something I want to be the one to help you out of whatever hole you find yourself in. I love to fix. I love to pray. I love to talk and I love to listen. If I was rich I would encourage you with a big chunk of cash if that is what you needed. (I'm not rich so don't get any ideas.) That's the encouraging "me"

I love to analyze. Now this can drive people crazy about me! It's true. I want to fix problems right away. I want to get along with everyone and have everyone like me. (Whether they want to or not) If you are having an issue I want to analyze it and help you fix what is broken. This annoys people. That is the analytical "me".

What are your "you's"? I have many more I could share but I want to tell you this. Not everyone is going to like all your "you's" They might be jealous of who you are in one capacity or another, they may be sizing themselves up to one "you". The Lord put all your different "you's" together. Some might be traits to share with the world and some might be something you keep to yourself. You don't have to live the one good, pleasing to the eye "you" all the time. Because, frankly, you will be missing out on a lot of life. Don't put yourself in a box.

If I was still a dancer and never allowed myself to wander away from the dancer "me" I would not be where I am today. I would not have gotten married at 20, I would have waited to have children till well into my 30's, I am sure I would not have ever felt the calling to foster, or adopt. I would not be able to encourage people with the stories I have because they would be different stories.

Be the "you's" you were created to be. All of them! Don't sell yourself short.

Be a blessing today.