Snow White and the 8th Dwarf, Frumpy

Some of you know my heart's desire is to write a book someday. And while I can spin a thousand tales to my husband as to why I just backed the van into the 1/2 opened garage door (true story...from about 24 hours ago) or create a virtual miniseries for my kids on a car ride while sitting in stop and go traffic, my writing strength does NOT lie in novel writing. Instead, I am passionate about writing about what I know. And these days, that consists of being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, and friend.  Entertaining, yes, sometimes; earth moving, maybe not so much.

So I revert back to what I know again: the tales of life as I know it, how I interpret those tales, and what it looks like at the end of the day when I turn to God to give it all back to Him (the good and the bad!). I tell you this, so you know as you read this, you are reading my heart, a mini-devotional I'm concocting, complete with my heart's prayer and even a verse or two that struck me as "just right". I'll admit, I feel a wee bit vulnerable sharing this with you. It's my dream of the "book I'll write someday" and a little glimpse of how it comes together from my scattered creative thoughts to this little old typeface on the Internet. BUT, again, if you know me, I tend to jump in head first, so whatever it makes me "feel", I still want to share it with you!

Hope it brightens your day, and hope you realize, if you've taken the time to read this, you've taken the time to know me and my heart a wee bit more. Frumpy thanks you!~

(I wrote this little snippit a while back, in another lifetime, it seems, but it still applies, no matter where I live or how old the kids have gotten. Or how many more pairs of yoga pants I have purchased since this original writing!)

SNOW WHITE AND THE 8TH DWARF, FRUMPY

We’ve all heard that wonderful fairy tale that begins with wickedness in the form of an apple, throws in a couple of animated small woodsmen, and ends with a prince and happily ever after.   

And while I'm not a betting woman, I'm willing to wager we all have that One friend…the One who is always put together, her house is in order, her children are behaved and well mannered, she’s involved in all the school and community organizations and is never late to a meeting, she remembers your birthday and your anniversary and even makes you a gift, and she’s got a home cooked meal on the table every night.

Next to her at the bus stop, you in your yoga pants and stained t-shirt, she in her khakis and well matched accessories (like she stepped off of a Pinterest board) you just can’t help but feel inadequate.

 (And I'm strangely reminded of a Taylor Swift ballad...but I stray from topic). 

Let me introduce you to the princess, the One: meet Snow White:  And me? I’m her friend, Frumpy. I'd shake your hand, but it's currently been the holding place for the contents of the youngest child's misguided sneeze. 

Now please don’t misconstrue my thoughts as ones of envy. In fact, I’m quite content in my yoga pants, and truth be told, Snow White’s daily grind makes me rather tired just thinking about all she accomplishes. But she can pull it off daily, and STILL be a wonderful friend to Frumpy.

And over coffee one day, she shares with me how much she wishes she could be like me. WHAT?! Yes, you heard it correct. She desires to have more of MY qualities, I desire to have more of hers. And right there in my kitchen, God has taught us (and will continue to teach us over many more cups of coffee together) that we are exactly who we are supposed to be in Him.

He’s given us all we need to be who we are, and part of who I need is my Snow White. Just like she needs me, frumpiness and all. We are here to lift each other to God, to share in the joys and woes of mothering, and to love each other, plain and simple.

Now THAT'S a happily ever after I can live with, especially since I get to stay in my yoga pants!

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Lord, thank you for my qualities that make me uniquely me. Help me to appreciate my own characteristics and to not covet those characteristics that uniquely make up my friends. Pull back the blinds to allow me to see how You intricately blend my friendships to form a wonderful support system, and guide me to know what the desires of Your heart are for me and those friendships I foster. Be the source of truth in my relationships, and let our bonds be built on those of Your solid foundation of love and grace. 

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected them. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."