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
🦋 Except for the song, this is a revisited post from 2016. 🦋
Freed to Fly 
Thank you Dear Trudy for revisiting this post! Your words are such a comfort and encouragement. I too have always loved nature and children. And this touched my heart so deeply:
“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.”
Oh how my thoughts echo yours. There are nights I can’t sleep as I think of the darkness that the children of this world face. And yet, Christ still loves and cares for each one. And our prayers really do matter!
Thank you for the beauty that you share with all of us. I pray that you are blessed with some surprise springtime beauty this week! Blessings, love, and hugs! 🙏🥰
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Oh Bettie, I’m so glad your heart is comforted and encouraged. And your words here bring tears to my eyes and have encouraged me. It’s such a strength to my heart that you, too, ache for the children in this world. Yes, Christ still loves and cares for each one, and our prayers do matter! Your prayer about that springtime surprise has already been answered! We saw our first robin on Monday and since then are seeing and hearing more of them! They bring such hope to our hearts! Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! I pray you also are blessed with springtime beauty! May we together keep praying for the children in this world!
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Trudy, your compassion shines through these words in such a powerful way. This is a beautiful message for people of any age. Thanks for giving us this glimpse of your heart, dear friend.
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Thank you for your loving encouragement, Lois. May we take time in our lives to pursue the passions God has given us in our hearts!
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I think you might have found a new use for “cow pie.” 🙂 Your love of nature, including the nature’s children, shines through today with the words and pictures you share. I recently learned how performance anxiety can lock up the joy we once had as children. But Jesus isn’t concerned with our performance! He just wants us to be faithful to His loving presence. I echo Lois’s words…Beautiful message again, Trudy!
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I never knew those cow pies could have medicinal qualities. 😉 Not that I would step into one on purpose! 😁 I love how God has taught you performance anxiety can lock up the joy. I love your recent post about living moment by moment and enjoy the process rather than the progress. Thank you for your kind words, Lynn. And for sharing your insight. May we abide in Jesus’ loving presence and just “be” rather than be so focused on “doing.”
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I love when people find things that interest them and pursue those interests! I’ve always enjoyed writing to help me process life, so I was thrilled when blogging came on the scene to give me a greater avenue to meet other people through words, including sweet friends like you!
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And I am privileged to be a part of your blogging life, Lisa. Your writing is insightful and invites reflection. 🙂 Keep on writing! Thank you for your kind words! May we lean into Jesus and be who He created us to be!
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Dear Trudy, thank you for giving us a glimpse into your story. You are precious to all who have the privilege of knowing and loving you. And your words are going to hit home in the most gentle and meaningful way to someone who reads this. They will be a healing balm.
Let’s hear it for revisiting writing from the past. Yes, please.
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Aww, thank you, Linda. You have always been such an encourager to me. I hope and pray God will apply His healing balm!
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I pray God brings to life & fruition every dream in your soul that is part of your calling ♥️🦋
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Thank you so much, Estera. May He do the same for you!
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Amen Trudy 🙏🏻
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What a beautiful post, Trudy! Your transparency and willingness to share your heart was so edifying and encouraging to me. May the Lord heal every remaining hurt in your heart and life and give you brand-new, unexpected opportunities to use your amazing gifts. He is so faithful. I am praying for you and would deeply appreciate your prayers, too.
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I’m grateful you were encouraged, Cheryl. Thank you so much for praying for me. I appreciate it so much. I just got home on Monday from a 9-day hospital stay. A nasty respiratory virus hit me extra hard because of my chronic condition. I’m told I’m going to need a lot of time and patience to recover from this one. I’ve been trying hard to hold to God’s unchanging Hand and His faithful promises. I pray God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus! 💕
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Oh, Trudy! I am SO sorry! I am praying for you right now and asking Jesus to lay His healing hand on you! I know He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or even think. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers. I have been so terribly sick, too, and I can’t seem to get my strength back or stop coughing. Your prayers are a gift. It is so wonderful that we can pray for one another.
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I forgot to mention that a dear friend sent me some mullein tea and also an herbal supplement called Pneumotrophin PMG by a company called Standard Process. I have gotten a little relief and am praying it will continue. I wanted you to know, in case you are interested. I have some specific information about the mullein, if you would like me to email it to you, I will be happy to!
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I appreciate it, Cheryl. I’m so glad you got a little relief. For now I’ll stick with my Yogi teas and good ol’ chicken broth. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Cheryl. I’m still having a tough battle with breathing. Baby steps but I’m grateful each step is forward. I so appreciate your prayers. I’m so sorry you have been so sick, too. I pray God gives you further healing and strength!
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This is a very touching and beautiful post and the song is amazing! Thank you.
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Thank you, Liz. I’m so grateful this touched your heart. And thank you for sharing the beauty of God’s creation at your blog! 🙂 May God help us to cling to our identity in Christ Jesus!
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