I finally finished the kitty for T-Rex. He hovered over my shoulder while I stitched it closed, and then gave the new kitty a proper welcome complete with a photo shoot.
I was happy with it, except for the face. I stitched and re-stitched and stitched again before I decided it just had “character.”
I tend to see the flaws. With everything. Mostly myself.
I remember in high school deciding that God had definitely made a mistake when he gave me this boisterous, over-talkative, opinionated personality. I wanted to be more like this other girl, I’ll call her Patty. She was sweet and quiet, and everyone loved her.
One week, I decided to be more like Patty. I tried my best to keep quiet, with a smile on my face, only participating in conversation when directly spoken to. My friends kept asking me what was wrong. When I insisted everything was fine, they didn’t believe me. Finally, I confessed that I was trying to be more like Patty.
They groaned and then urged me to just be myself. One friend wisely said that the world needs people like me who are willing to speak up and lead and voice ideas. I wasn’t completely sure I agreed with her, but it was a whole lot easier to be me than to work so hard at being someone else.
Eventually, I realized that what I thought were flaws could become my greatest strengths when placed back in my Creator’s hands. When I allow Him to continue to fashion me in His image, I begin to reflect His love through those “flaws.”
And the kitty whose face still makes me a little uneasy? T-Rex’s twin cousins took one look at it and each asked for one of their own. I guess I’m just a bit too critical of my skill!
The kitty turned out so cute! Great story! SO true! I am ALWAYS wishing I was like someone else other than myself….why do I do that?!?! I needed this reminder…Thanks!
I know, why do we do that to ourselves? I thin you are wonderful just the way you are!
I have a list of attributes that I dislike about myself. I spend way too much time obsessing over my butt, my forgetfulness, my self-esteem problems (I know, ironic). But I need to remember that God sees me as His little girl who He made in His very own image. And I really don’t think He cares that I’ve got more padding than I ought to have or that I am absent-minded. He does care that I feel insecure….because I need to find my security in Him.
Lots for me to ruminate! I love this one!
Susie, read the creation story in the Jesus Storybook Bible “God loves them with all of his heart. And they were lovely because he loved them.”
I love how the kitty turned out face and all. Great job! It’s obvious that T-rex loves his kitty that Momma made with her own hands. Maybe you and Little Miss both will end up being better knitters than me. lol
Oh he really does love it! It’s almost equal status with the other kitty. I doubt I’ll ever be a better knitter than you!
How hard we can be on ourselves…thank you for this post revealing your thoughts on both kitty and self. 🙂
Thank you Ann! I think we are so often our own toughest critics!