My name is Tonya Inez Lowe and I ain’t perfect.
-I’m a petite yet pudgy 44 year-old, who talks like a hick. I was raised on old family farmland and lived off of bread, biscuits, rice, and cake. I now know that these types of carbs are not so good for me, yet I’ve struggled with saying no to them.
-I have dressed in off brands and hand-me-downs most of my life, because that’s all we could afford. Even my Keds were knock-offs. Sure, I buy some brands now, but labels ain’t my thing. Unless we’re talking about mayo and peanut butter brands. I’ll shell out a few extra quarters for Duke’s and Skippy.
-One of my bottom teeth is chipped from where my son, who was 2 at the time, tried jumping in my arms and his head connected with my chin. I really don’t have any desire to fix that tooth.
-I have no formal training as a writer, not proud of that, but I’ve also not allowed it to hold me back from doing what I’m passionate about: Storytelling. Sure, there are some critics who like to point out that I don’t know what I’m doing, but I refuse to let their opinion hold me back.
-I sometimes say ugly words in my mind, and sometimes they slip out of my mouth. I’m not proud of that either, but I’m choosing to be real with you.
-My hair is full of gray and cowlicks. Both are nuisances, but I manage to hide them, mostly. I have many more flaws I try my best to hide, because I honestly don’t like to be judged and know it’s going to happen regardless.
-I stare at people, because I’m intrigued by human nature, but it’s still considered rude. I know!
-I check out of reality and daydream more than I should. It’s much more peaceful there…
-I’m an introvert who struggles with the anxiety of being in front of people, but I’m good at pretending I’m not. I think.
-I’m different. I’m far, far from perfect. And that’s okay.
Guess what? None of us are perfect, but we are unique. God designed us all to be one-of-a-kinds. Instead of pointing out everyone’s flaws and differences, how about we respect and accept them as is. We can think differently, look differently, yet still respect one another. We also need to keep in mind that not one of us is more significant than the other. Different yet equal.
You may have caught yourself judging me for being overweight, for my chipped tooth, my untrendy fashion, or that I think ugly stuff sometimes. No worries, we are all human and flawed, yet we can all make an effort to be more considerate and less judgy.
My parents did their best by me. We ate lots of starch because it was cheap and filled our hungry bellies. Just as they inadvertently taught me bad eating habits, some of us may have been raised with beliefs and views that may not be all that healthy. I’m not going to list those, because they will be different for each person and I'm gonna stay in my lane. But I do encourage you to identify what is healthy and unhealthy in your life and work on it. Works in progress, that’s what we all are.
Just as I know I need to cut carbs and take better care of this one body I’ve been given and to guard my thoughts and words, we could all use a self-examination. Focus on how you can be a better person instead of making a list for someone else. Heaven help us, the world is all about pointing fingers.
Empathy and compassion are both becoming a lost artform. Such beautiful words, that are being overlooked. We are living in a day where being offended is an offensive trend, and I find it offensive that these two words are not being lived out. If we did, then there would be a lot less out there to be offended about.
My Heavenly Father says that He loves ALL and that we should love ALL. I don’t know about you, but I sure am glad he loves me as is. And because of His love, I want to be a better human. That means I must love as He loves. Accept others as He accepts them.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38-39
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27