6,001

A couple days ago, I was notified by facebook that one of my friends had “liked” a sponsored post – a quote by a company that pays to have their posts seen and that several hundred or thousand other people have liked.  I often bypass these posts, ignoring them much less “liking” them.  However, this was something I actually agreed with, so I stopped long enough to consider giving it the thumbs up.  That’s when I saw it – the perfectly beautiful, even roundness of how many had liked it before me: 6,000.  In less time than it takes you to read this sentence, I realized that I could quickly click the button and watch it change before someone else did the same.  After all, hundreds more were probably reading it and preparing to click their mouses (or is it “mice” when referring to computers, also?) at the very same second!  So, to satisfy my desire to see it change knowing that it wouldn’t stay that nice round number for long, I clicked the button and watched it change to 6,001.  Of course, within seconds, it shot up to 6,022 then over 6,100.  I was so grateful for the split second decision I made, because yes, I take pleasure in little neurotic things like that.

In fact, I take things in lots of neurotic things – symmetry, patterns, smoothness, straight lines.  I love to watch home improvement or decorating shows where they arrange photo frames in a crazy shape on the wall or put some really abstract piece of art on the wall.  However, I’ve tried it at home, and it hasn’t been very successful.  I’ve branched out a little in my fashion choices to a few asymmetrical tops or skirts cut on the bias, but it is rare.  I am known for buying bracelet, earring, and necklace sets that are identical.  I love jewelry and am learning how to accessorize without being “matchy-matchy,” but let’s face it – 20-something years of a habit is a lot to break.

I love to be around people, but I also really like to sit on the couch in my pjs eating and watching tv.  I feel accomplished when I have a clean house, but I am by no means winning a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval!  While I’ve been unemployed for nearly 4 months, God has been speaking to me about a lot of issues, but this one especially lately – He has been talking to me about being thankful for the character traits/habits I have that I so often fight as sins which can also be useful.

While being lazy is certainly not generally a desirable quality, I’ve found it useful when fighting countless illnesses or multiple-day migraines.  I certainly get cabin fever and feel tired of being sick and in bed, but it at least takes me a couple days to get to that point.  My love of watching tv and dvds has served me well when spending hours upon hours in pain, trying to distract my mind from the insomnia and being bed-ridden that goes with that.

More than once, I’ve been grateful for the planning and organizational skills God has given me in packing for a move or a trip.  These neurotic tendencies, as some people describe them, have also helped me in various office settings where I’ve been employed.  And for sure, these come in handy being a homeschooling mom.

The last thing I’d like to mention today is that I talk too much.  Yes, I’m aware of it, for those of you who were considering setting up an anonymous tip line. J  And although I certainly need to learn when to be quiet and control my mouth, I know that part of my personality allows me to make friends easily.  It has allowed me to form deep bonds with people in various settings, and I hope someday will allow me to become a speaker/minister should God see fit.

There is nothing deep or revealing about this blog.  I just want to encourage you to look for the things about yourself that can so easily become stumblingblocks/sins or even the traits you just may not like, and try to find ways to use them to benefit you and others.  Turn those negatives into positives, and use them for God’s glory rather than letting Satan use them for your demise!