God created each of us with unique interests. Finding those interests can help us to better understand who He has created us to be and help us to better use them to glorify Him.
Sometimes these interests get buried under painful memories, and it takes intentional work to recover them. Working through our pain can remove the blinders from our eyes, so we can more easily see what we loved as a child. To remember what made us feel alive and more hopeful in the midst of the darkness.
As a child, I didn’t know a loving Jesus. To me, God was angry, vengeful, and unapproachable. But as I look back, a God of love was still at work even though I didn’t see, feel, or know Him. He created in me interests that I now see as ways He made my life more bearable.
One of my fond memories was when my brother and I brought our Holstein cows from the pasture to the barnyard for milking. I loved smelling the country air and feeling it on my face. Hearing the frogs chirp in the creek making a ribbon through our pasture. Seeing the killdeer drawing us away from their nests with a shrill “Kill-deee! Kill-deee!”
“Kaaa Boss!” we would yell. Many of the cows would come when called and would head home in a long line, but there were usually those who stayed in the back of the pasture until we rounded them up.
I loved walking barefoot but it was kind of tricky when there were thistles to dodge. Once I didn’t see a dead one and stepped right into it. Ouch! My foot was still stinging when I plopped it smack dab in the middle of a cow pie so fresh it was still steaming. Yuck! And yet I remember the warm, soothing feeling squishing up between my toes. It actually helped take the sting out of my foot!
I loved animals, both the farm ones and wildlife. I was even intrigued by the ones others might call creepy, like bugs, spiders, and snakes. 🙂
Animals became a part of my dreams, too. I wanted to be a marine biologist. I wanted to study chimpanzees or gorillas like Jane Goodall.
As I grew into a teenager, I also dreamed of owning an orphanage. I wanted every child to feel loved and cared about. I wanted to shield them from all harm. I never got what I wanted, but God did give me children to care for. As a teacher, then a mother, and now a grandmother. Sometimes my heart aches for all the children in this world, and I wish I could protect them all from evil. I know I can’t though and I have to give them into the hands of Jesus who loves children and invites them to come to Him. What I can do is be a part of making every child I meet feel noticed, loved, and cherished.
Not all our dreams come to reality in our lives and seasons in our lives change. Sometimes because of circumstances, we have to let go of pursuits that gave us such joy, and that can be painful. Sometimes even those dreams we have that line up with passions we feel God has given us fall by the wayside. We don’t always understand why, but God can help us to grieve and move forward into the plan He has for each of us.
Through the heavy weight of not dealing with past abuse in my life, the long, difficult road of finally dealing with it, and this continuing journey of healing, there were and still are times I cannot see, feel, or appreciate the deep-seated interests God has given me. But God still preserves the makeup of who I am. Both children and nature still bring me joy and hope. I am still fascinated by the complexities of God’s creatures. All of God’s creation is God’s gift of love and grace. It inspires me to open my heart to His beauty and remember He is in control of our lives.
His creation includes you. I really do care about you readers. I don’t know you all by name, but God does, and I can still pray for you. I long for you to know the joy and salvation there is in Jesus. And I long for Him to set you free to recover interests He Himself has given you. Those interests that make you who you are.
Are there God-created loves inside you that got buried in the heaviness of life’s troubles? Interests you had as a child that made you feel more alive and hopeful even when you didn’t know God? Do you take time to enjoy them today as God’s way to give you more hope in the midst of the turmoil of our hearts, lives, and world?
If you are one of those children who were so abused and neglected that you weren’t allowed to enjoy anything or truly discover where your interests lie, I’m so very sorry. I hope you have gotten or will get help to work through the pain and to recover them. I pray God will uncover and revive the special person He made you to be, that unique, wonderful person He filled with special gifts and interests meant to glorify Him.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.“
Psalm 139:14a
“For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10
“Wonderfully Made”
Matthew West
Freed to Fly 
Good morning, Trudy … my, you have served up beautiful hopeful words here this morning. Yes, God has planted seeds, given gifts, offered dreams to us all. May we find healing for our brokenness by living out the glories of what He’s so graciously given …
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Thank you, Linda. I’m so grateful you find hope here. I love your words of finding “healing for our brokenness by living out the glories of what He’s so graciously given.” That’s beautiful! May He help us to live out those glories! Hugs!
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When I saw your post pop up in my email today, I so looked forward to when I’d be able to respond, and wondered what surprise song you would have me listen to today. And again, am completely blessed by your place here. ‘God makes no mistakes.’ I loved your stepping in cow pile story to relieve a sting. Sometimes it really is in the unexpected that gives us healing, joy, and peace isn’t it?
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Thank you, Lynn. That’s so sweet that you look forward to read and respond. I love this song, too. I enjoy finding them and I’m often ministered to. Many are ones I haven’t heard of before. There’s such a wealth of them out there. That phrase really caught my attention as well – “God makes no mistakes.” That’s so comforting, isn’t it? I love what you point out about it sometimes being in the unexpected that gives us healing, joy, and peace. That’s so true. Thank you for sharing that. May it sink deep within our hearts that God makes no mistakes, not in how He created us nor in our lives! Hugs!
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Hi Trudy! It looks like God made a blessing out of curse in that field. Yikes, I would have FREAKED OUT! But I’m a city mouse, so I guess that’s the difference.
It’s interesting to think that there may be buried desires and needs under the busyness and emotion of my life. I think I should pray about that. I know we all hope to do what God wills, which takes being intentional, just as you are doing. It’s never easy, and I know you are working so hard to overcome your past, but I know it will make you so happy and strong in the end.
God bless you always,
Ceil
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Thank you, Ceil. This reminds me of when my roommate and I were on our way to school many years ago. I stopped the car because I saw a salamander in the middle of the road. I emptied my sandwich container and put him in it, because I wanted to show my students. My roommate did FREAK OUT! It’s amazing how God created us so differently, isn’t it? 🙂 I love how you point out that God made a blessing out of a curse. That’s so true in our lives, isn’t it? He can make beauty out of ashes! Thank you for your continued support of my overcoming my past. May God uncover any buried desires and needs in our hearts and our lives! I pray also that God will help you grieve and give you comfort in the recent loss of your dad. Hugs!
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Beautiful encouragement here again, Trudy! I am finding this so true: “Sometimes because of circumstances, we have to let go of pursuits that gave us such joy, and that can be painful” But I love how you point out that God still sees our unique make-up that will never change. He knows the seasons, and the ways that are best for us to live-out His working in us! Thank you for your precious sharing here!
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Thank you, Bettie. I’m so glad this encouraged you. When I wrote that, I thought also of you. I knew you would well understand how it felt. It’s hard when we want to do things we have a passion for, but our chronic illnesses prevent us. It’s hard to understand sometimes, isn’t it? But as you say, He knows the ways that are best for us to live-out His working in us. I think these changes have equipped us to better understand encourage others who are struggling, right? May God give us the strength, courage, and wisdom to live out His working in us! Hugs!
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Trudy, I am so blessed that you would think of me while writing! Thank you for being one of the ways that God is using to bring strength, courage, and wisdom to all of His Little Ones: each of us! 🙂 –Hugs to you my friend!
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Thank you for your kind words, Bettie. I honestly could say the same to you “Thank you for being one of the ways that God is using to bring strength, courage, and wisdom to all of His Little Ones: each of us!” 🙂 I am blessed to have you for a friend. Hugs to you, too!
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Trudy, this is so beautiful. It reminds me of something Bonnie Gray shared about how as more healing is ushered in by God, she is discovering more happy memories in her childhood that the pain and suffering had shrouded. And your heart: God is so present in it. You remind me so much of my Mum. This is something she could have said too: “What I can do is be a part of making every child I meet feel noticed, loved, and cherished.” That is something mighty indeed: mighty to change not just one life, but a generation worth. Praying God’s blessing over you as I head to bed.
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Thank you, Anna. Yes, pain and suffering really does shroud the happy memories. There was a time that the bad memories smothered all the good that was there. But God is so very gracious and loving, isn’t He? He can recover and revive us! What an honor that I would remind you of your Mum. I have heard so many great things about her. It is so evident in your posts and your book how filled with God’s love and grace she was. I long that more children knew they are noticed, capable, and lovable in God’s eyes. May God fill us with His love and grace that it will ooze out and change one life at a time! Hugs!
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This is lovely, Trudy. I love how you’re discovering the interests God has placed in you and that you can see happy memories of these things giving you joy even in difficult times. I love your desire to make every child feel noticed, loved and cherished, and your desire to encourage everyone who reads your words here- that in the midst of your pain God has worked such compassion for others. That is really beautiful. I love the song too. Music has always been the thing I turn to so I always appreciate discovering new songs here.
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Thank you, Lesley. Healing can be a long, difficult journey, can’t it? But God heals layer by layer and gives us so much love and grace. I love discovering new songs as well. Music can have such healing lyrics. May God heal us ever deeper and keep giving us grace to reach out to others! Hugs!
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Trudy, I love that you are now able to see this, that “He created in me interests that I now see as ways He made my life more bearable.” That is such a gift, isn’t it? I had a good childhood, but there are things about myself as a kid that I didn’t like or appreciate. In recent years, though, I can see that God actually used those things to protect me, so I’m able to look at them a bit differently. Your care for your readers comes through in every post, and I’m so thankful that I have the joy of knowing you!
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Thank you, Lois. It’s a joy to know you as well. 🙂 Life looks so much different through God’s lens of grace, doesn’t it? I love that you now see that those things you didn’t like or appreciate about yourself as a kid were actually used by God to protect you. It’s amazing how God takes care of us. He is always out for our good, isn’t He? Even when we can’t see or feel it. May we continually lean into Him and trust His love, faithfulness, and caring intentions! Hugs!
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You show us such hope and point us to God through all of your words. I know you are walking a journey of healing. We share two loves- children and nature. Both make my heart happy and the lessons within always show me more of God. Praying you continue to know more of God through your own journey. Blessed that you are willing to share all of this with us.
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Thank you for your loving words, Mary. It’s such a blessing to me to hear my words (given by God’s grace) give hope and point others to God. I love it that we share two loves. 🙂 Both make my heart happy, too. And how true that the lessons within show us more of God. Your nature pics always soothe my soul. Thank you also for sharing the wedding pics. It’s amazing how God still sends us joys in the midst of sorrows. May God continue to help you grieve the loss of your dad and give you strength and peace. May we together grasp those happy things that God gives so lovingly and freely! Hugs!
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This is actually something that I have been thinking about a lot lately when it comes to my writing. I have enjoyed writing since the 6th grade. Just wrote stories and journal about life. But I see all around me other bloggers who seem to know what they want and I begin to question myself. I know that I struggle with wanting numbers and want people to be pleased with what I wrote. But what should be my focus. My need to please overshadows what I really need to be focusing on, something I have always struggled with. But you have encouraged me to keep pressing on and give over this need to please people and just allow God to use my gift.
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Oh Kristina. This brings tears to my eyes. I’m so very grateful that you are encouraged to keep pressing on and allow God to use your gift. I struggle with the need to please, too. It’s so hard not to compare ourselves with other writers, isn’t it? I have often thought of quitting as I thought other bloggers are so much more fluent. I would think – What are my measly words compared to theirs? But I’m trying to fix my eyes on God and just focus on allowing Him to work through me. It’s tough sometimes, and it’s hard not to look at numbers. I tried to find your site. It shows it’s progressingthroughgrace.wordpress.com at the top, but the content says it’s not found. Beautiful choice of words. It’s only through grace we can progress, right? I sincerely hope you will begin again and allow God to use your writing gift. Let me know about your site when you take it up again or if there is a different link that I don’t know about, ok? May we both remember God already approves of us and we don’t need people’s approval! Hugs!
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Trudy,
This is a beautiful post! I could just see you out in the fields with the cows — and barefoot, no less — you were a brave girl! I see the thread of God’s design in your life as a teacher, mother and grandmother. Your zest for the creatures of the earth and for children are so evident in the way he wired you! Trudy, everything about you is filled with care and beauty as you share your life, your words and your passions with us all — bravo on this post — I think it’s one of your best! xoxo
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Thank you, Valerie. You are so kind to always encourage me. It’s funny how you think I’m brave by going barefoot with the cows and cow pies and with touching frogs, and I think you’re brave with experimenting with different cultures and foods (like ice-cream made with peas!) and into your moving forward into the unknown in spite of uncertainty. You hold fast to God’s truth and promises even when the way seems so hard to understand. It’s amazing how differently God wired us, isn’t it? With all of our various interests, He helps us to learn from each other. 🙂 I see God’s design in your life at your blog as well. Your creativity, humor, and insightful spiritual lessons out of everyday things are beautiful. May God help us to cling to His immovable faithfulness and to use interests He gives us for His glory! Hugs!
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I had to laugh at your cow pie story, my friend. I grew up on a farm, too so I can relate. I’m saddened by the cruelty you’ve suffered. But through your words, I can see how, even now, God is using your experiences for good. I’m praying for Him to continue to bless you and use the passions He’s given you to bless others.
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Thank you for your empathy and prayers, June. I’m so glad God turns our pain into purpose for His glory. Growing up on a farm is a blessing, isn’t it? Feeling a kinship with the animals really helped me through a lot of sadness. How are you doing? Do you like where you moved? I know you’re dealing with some troubles of your own, and I pray God will give you strength and peace through it all. May our God who sees our every tear and knows exactly what we need teach us and guide us both! Hugs!
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Hi Trudi! I just love this!! Thanks for sharing your memories from the farm! It made me happy because my grandpa was a farmer- I loved visiting him on the farm. I remember riding my tricycle in the barn and I cut the turn too short and fell right in the manure too! Anyway these are such good thoughts- And have given me rest- I feel like God is doing some uncovering in my life lately- 🙂 slowly but you said it all so well- and it fits what he is doing in my life I think- Thanks so much Trudi for posting and sharing this today!! xoxox
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Thank you, Susie. I’m so glad these thoughts have given you rest. 🙂 I imagine that was quite an experience to land in the manure. 😉 Yes, it’s a slow process, but God is doing uncovering in my life as well. May He continue to do His uncovering work in us and lead us more deeply into knowing Him as a God who will never reject us or abandon us! Hugs!
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One of my daughters loved animals so much as a child that we were certain she would become a veterinarian. But alas, the sciences were too much for her. ha. But I’m glad you remind us that we are each unique–and even at different seasons of our lives–and we can embrace that.
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Hi Lisa. It’s amazing how unique each of us is, isn’t it? I’m sorry the sciences were too much for your daughter, but at least that will never take away the love she’s been given for animals. I hope she has time in her life to enjoy that interest. 🙂 May we truly embrace our uniqueness in Christ Jesus! Hugs!
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