Hi, my name is Lori and I’m a TapZoo addict.

All joking aside, I really do enjoy my TapZoo … until I started comparing my zoo to my husband’s. 

He thinks differently than I do, his strategy is different than mine (I like pretty, can’t have a messy zoo now can we?  And you need to have complete sets of animals, right?), and he usually manages to get the new animals sooner than I do.  Dissatisfaction began to creep in.

God is so funny.  He never wastes an experience.  He reminded me of how much I enjoyed the creative outlet at first.  My zoo hadn’t changed (other than to get better) and my dissatisfaction was because of comparison (“I want a naked mole rat too” or “My zoo doesn’t look as good as his does” (by whose standards?)).  Pretty silly.  So I sat down and just enjoyed my little zoo for what it was – fun, creative play time.  I’ll eventually get that naked mole rat.  I’m going to enjoy my own journey.

Then …
God began to show me all kinds of areas of my life where I was concerned with how I looked “in comparison” to others.  Not in major in-your-face kind of ways, but those subtle little slippery thoughts that cause self doubt (the kind that can immobilize or limit you through fear).

We’re only going to have a few presents under our tree. (Will people think we are poor?)
(I don’t have fancy little pumpkin decorations like Cindy.) Is my home nice enough?
How does my “study and prayer time” stack up? (Wow, Shawn prays for like hours!)

It was a painful revelation, but a good one.  Again, it’s my life and my journey.  Do I really want to waste it on other folk’s expectations or standards?  I can learn from others, but I should only be owned by One.  He has a plan and purpose for my life.  I need to look to and listen to Him.

So…
I pick my gifts for the people I love based on who they are and what they want/need.  My family values experience and adventure.  We’re only going to have a few actual presents under the tree, but that’s OK with my family.  We’ll be having fun doing what we love.

My home is my home.  It’s where I live with the people I love.  We decorate it with things that have meaning to us.  We care about each other and our home is safe for us.  People are welcome in our home and we totally play a wicked game of Settlers of Catan. (aff link) (Be prepared to be challenged if you drop by.)

My study and prayer time is growing and changing because I’m growing and changing.  I’m under God’s tutelage.  ‘Nuf said.

I don’t want to waste my time trying to wear someone else’s shoes.  The adventure is in finding my own shoes and wearing them well.

I encourage y’all to do similarly.  Look around and appreciate the good that you have and don’t waste your life on comparisons.  You are not other people so you don’t have to be like other people or live up to their standards.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10  NIV

Seeing your spouse as God sees them – This is Who God Says I Am … and You Too  – a lovely reminder from Stu at StupendousMarriage.com.

An “I can so identify with that” post from “J” (of Hot, Holy & Humorous) – Rainy Days and Ugly Days Always Get Me Down

P.S. I got a naked mole rat!  Woo-hoo!

 Be generous! Lori <><
35 days ’til Christmas!