My kids think I’m OCD. Really, it’s not something that I haven’t thought myself before. For a long time now I’ve noticed that I really just want things done right – even the little things. And if I don’t have the skill to do it right, then I don’t want to do it at all. I’d rather leave it to someone who does have the skill.
Perhaps I’m also a little ADD. I have to be doing something all the time – trying to accomplish something. I feel like I’m wasting time if I’m not doing something productive or fruitful in some way.
I can’t make bows. You know…..those pretty ones that go on gifts, wreaths, decorations or on baby girls heads. I don’t care how many Youtube videos I watch, I just can’t do it right. It seems like being OCD I’d be able to! After all, they are very intricate and detailed – but no, not me! They look like a 5 year old did them.
I can’t paint. Oh I can paint a wall – or a board. But I NEVER get the edges right even by using that blue tape on the baseboards. I always mess it up. How in the world does the paint seep through that stuff!!?? Or better yet, how is it that the stupid tape doesn’t go on straight? I mean if I’m OCD it has to be right – but if I’m ADD I don’t have the patience to do it right. Oh geez……..am I the only one???
I just didn’t get that “artsy” gene. My sister Carolyn did though. It had been a lifelong talent and desire of hers that she’s really just started fulfilling within the past several years and yet in that short time, has excelled so much! After a heartbreaking divorce, and although it was so terrible and heart wrenching and seemed so impossible to get past for her and her family, somehow now she finds herself fulfilled and happier than she’s ever been, and is standing in her dream as an artist. Better yet, she has an awesome husband that shares her “design” talent and encourages and embraces it. God did it.
But she can’t sing – she’ll tell you that. Well I do believe she CAN sing, but she always says she doesn’t have a good singing voice. She loves music and it inspires her and she does sing, but she excels in photography, painting, drawing and brush-to-canvas artistry.
I guess maybe I might have gotten a little of the singing gene. I honestly don’t know where in my heritage that came from. The closest thing of music in my family was when I was in Junior High and High School. I remember my Mother trying to wake me up for school by singing “Burning Bridges” by Ray Price….LOUDLY….at my bedroom door. Oh yeah buddy – it got me up! Anything to get her to stooopppp! But oh how I’d love to hear that voice again now. She’s singing perfectly with the angels now though.
I don’t really know where the singing and music thing started in me except I do remember at family gatherings my Daddy putting me on a milk stool as a stage and telling me to sing. I’d sing “God Bless America” and “Jesus Loves Me”. The family would watch and cheer and tell me how cute I was and how my big blue eyes were just like my Daddy’s. They didn’t really ever tell me I had a great “voice”, but I do remember my Uncle Wayne (Harris), dark hair and tan with his pearly white teeth grinning from ear to ear and hugging me tightly telling me I was “so good”. I just loved him. He was killed in a car wreck when I was in first grade.
When I was a little bit older we got new pastors at our church – Glen and Sharon Tropp. They were a young and attractive couple and drove a cool car. They didn’t have any children yet. I remember that because I’d been saved and baptized and was a card carrying member of Grace Missionary Baptist Church, I actually got to VOTE on the pastors that had tried out to take the job. I wanted them! So I asked Daddy how to spell their names. T-R-O-P-P. I wrote. I think I was 10!
I also remember my parents and others talking about how badly the new pastors wanted a child and how we all prayed for them to be able to have one. Soon, because they hadn’t conceived, they were able to adopt an adorable little boy, Anthony. We were all so happy and proud and got to wag him around the church sometimes. But only about a month or so after they were able to have Anthony a part of their family, Sister Sharon got pregnant!! (How many times have we seen something like this happen??) Then came their second son, Chris. This is what I recall was the very first God-answer-to-prayer miracle that I witnessed. That event in their lives birthed hope in me of the fact that God hears and has the ability to answer prayer.
But the thing about this couple is that they were so very musically anointed and talented. They stirred up that music and singing gene in me again. Brother Tropp started up the choir and also a youth praise group called the “Caleb Singers.” A few times we’d go travel to youth rallies and sing. I loved that!
When he sang a special at church, the anointing was on him so strong and powerful. I didn’t know what that was at the time. But I did know it was God. I especially remember him singing “He Touched Me,” and thinking “I want to sing like that!” Not just in tune vocally, but with the passion that he had for the Lord and to touch the people for Christ.
He taught us to harmonize and to this day I’m able to sing in alto or tenor with almost anyone. It’s weird too, because sometimes in my car I’ll be listing to a Christian song and hear ONLY the harmony lines – and I think of Brother Tropp and thank God for putting him in my life. His wife Sharon was a fabulous pianist and played with such gentleness, sweetness and love. She was also a piano teacher. She TRIED to teach me to read music and play. But I was too impatient at 10 or 11 years old and I would just play it by ear. I just wanted to do it quicker!! She was a sharp lady though and figured out pretty quick I wasn’t doing it the right way – by learning to read the music. I wish I had.
I’m proud to say those two are still pastoring today at Unity Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas, and about to celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Soooo……ADD, OCD or both??? Well, maybe both. Because that’s me. I want things done right and done quickly. I love the books and messages on TV from ministers like John Maxwell and others about living a life of excellence, working at our jobs with excellence and serving God with excellence. I just want to do things right the first time because I’ve learned throughout my life that “haste makes waste”. ( “Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.” Proverbs 19:2 MSG.) Which means, take the time to read the directions, follow instructions and double check your plan…do it right the first time and you won’t have to spend the time to do it over.
The other day I was in my shop working and my daughter Courtney was there. She watched as I tore off a piece of masking tape and it didn’t tear even semi straight. You know how that masking tape does – it leaves a long piece on the side and then you have to pick it off. It’s so annoying and a waste of time. I was like “Oh UGGGHHHH I hate when that happens!” Courtney said, “Mom, it doesn’t have to be perfect.” I said, “Yes, it does!”
It got me to thinking….have I gone overboard with trying to do things too perfectly? I mean I want to do things with excellence because the Bible says to “work as unto the Lord”, “care for your flocks” and to live a life of excellence before Him. ( “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23) I always want to give Him my best. But if you’re like me, sometimes you feel like your best is just not always good enough.
That’s why I hate painting. I don’t have the skill or God-given talent to do it perfectly. But I love singing, because although I don’t really sing all that well in the eyes (and ears) of some, I can do it as unto God and to HIM it IS excellent. One of the greatest things in my life is that I had pastors like Glen and Sharon Tropp, as well as Christians in my life teach me that. The anointing of Christ will take over when you step out and use what God’s given you for Him.
You may be saying, “Well, that’s all good and fine for you, but I don’t know what my true gift or talent is!” All I can say is don’t be discouraged. Just try some things that you enjoy and God will show you. (“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 )
There are so many great singers and songwriters out there, but the ones that shine a light on Christ are the ones who really “make it”. Oh they may become famous to the world, but not very pleasing to God. And isn’t that our ultimate goal? To please Him. If it’s not, it can be. Then we can truly “make it”. (“Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3, & “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7)
Try this today: Take whatever skill, talent or desire you have…..no matter what it is....and use it to bring glory to Jesus. Only you know what these things really are, and if you don’t, ask God to show you. Just set your mind on it today and pray that whatever you do, you’re going to do it as if you were doing it for God. (“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21)
If you’re still unsure, then just do something good for someone else. Be joyful, commit and trust Him. (“Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:3-5)
The reality is that He owns it all, created it all and gave you the abilities, talents and skills that will fulfill His purpose. And you get to enjoy it! It wasn’t you, your choice, or your abilities. You didn’t create them. He did. In you! (“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 137:13) It was part of His purpose and His plan for you and your life. He knows how awesome you are, even when you don’t. (“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” Psalm 139:14) So give it back and just watch and see what He will do with it!
In my life, I have to find balance. I do tend to go overboard with things sometimes, but that’s because I was given that passion I witnessed in my pastor and asked God for. So balance for me is something I have to consciously work on by using God’s Word. You may have to do the same.
Pray this with me now: “Lord, today show me the new things about myself that you want to use for You. Give me courage and boldness to try. I believe you created me, gifted me and have a purpose to use what You’ve given me to make a Kingdom impact for You. So use me I ask, and help me to know what that special thing is that you created in me, and show me how use it to bring joy to someone and most of all to You. In Jesus Name! AMEN
10/14/13
Linda King Wilson
I can’t make bows. You know…..those pretty ones that go on gifts, wreaths, decorations or on baby girls heads. I don’t care how many Youtube videos I watch, I just can’t do it right. It seems like being OCD I’d be able to! After all, they are very intricate and detailed – but no, not me! They look like a 5 year old did them.
I can’t paint. Oh I can paint a wall – or a board. But I NEVER get the edges right even by using that blue tape on the baseboards. I always mess it up. How in the world does the paint seep through that stuff!!?? Or better yet, how is it that the stupid tape doesn’t go on straight? I mean if I’m OCD it has to be right – but if I’m ADD I don’t have the patience to do it right. Oh geez……..am I the only one???
I just didn’t get that “artsy” gene. My sister Carolyn did though. It had been a lifelong talent and desire of hers that she’s really just started fulfilling within the past several years and yet in that short time, has excelled so much! After a heartbreaking divorce, and although it was so terrible and heart wrenching and seemed so impossible to get past for her and her family, somehow now she finds herself fulfilled and happier than she’s ever been, and is standing in her dream as an artist. Better yet, she has an awesome husband that shares her “design” talent and encourages and embraces it. God did it.
But she can’t sing – she’ll tell you that. Well I do believe she CAN sing, but she always says she doesn’t have a good singing voice. She loves music and it inspires her and she does sing, but she excels in photography, painting, drawing and brush-to-canvas artistry.
I guess maybe I might have gotten a little of the singing gene. I honestly don’t know where in my heritage that came from. The closest thing of music in my family was when I was in Junior High and High School. I remember my Mother trying to wake me up for school by singing “Burning Bridges” by Ray Price….LOUDLY….at my bedroom door. Oh yeah buddy – it got me up! Anything to get her to stooopppp! But oh how I’d love to hear that voice again now. She’s singing perfectly with the angels now though.
I don’t really know where the singing and music thing started in me except I do remember at family gatherings my Daddy putting me on a milk stool as a stage and telling me to sing. I’d sing “God Bless America” and “Jesus Loves Me”. The family would watch and cheer and tell me how cute I was and how my big blue eyes were just like my Daddy’s. They didn’t really ever tell me I had a great “voice”, but I do remember my Uncle Wayne (Harris), dark hair and tan with his pearly white teeth grinning from ear to ear and hugging me tightly telling me I was “so good”. I just loved him. He was killed in a car wreck when I was in first grade.
When I was a little bit older we got new pastors at our church – Glen and Sharon Tropp. They were a young and attractive couple and drove a cool car. They didn’t have any children yet. I remember that because I’d been saved and baptized and was a card carrying member of Grace Missionary Baptist Church, I actually got to VOTE on the pastors that had tried out to take the job. I wanted them! So I asked Daddy how to spell their names. T-R-O-P-P. I wrote. I think I was 10!
I also remember my parents and others talking about how badly the new pastors wanted a child and how we all prayed for them to be able to have one. Soon, because they hadn’t conceived, they were able to adopt an adorable little boy, Anthony. We were all so happy and proud and got to wag him around the church sometimes. But only about a month or so after they were able to have Anthony a part of their family, Sister Sharon got pregnant!! (How many times have we seen something like this happen??) Then came their second son, Chris. This is what I recall was the very first God-answer-to-prayer miracle that I witnessed. That event in their lives birthed hope in me of the fact that God hears and has the ability to answer prayer.
But the thing about this couple is that they were so very musically anointed and talented. They stirred up that music and singing gene in me again. Brother Tropp started up the choir and also a youth praise group called the “Caleb Singers.” A few times we’d go travel to youth rallies and sing. I loved that!
When he sang a special at church, the anointing was on him so strong and powerful. I didn’t know what that was at the time. But I did know it was God. I especially remember him singing “He Touched Me,” and thinking “I want to sing like that!” Not just in tune vocally, but with the passion that he had for the Lord and to touch the people for Christ.
He taught us to harmonize and to this day I’m able to sing in alto or tenor with almost anyone. It’s weird too, because sometimes in my car I’ll be listing to a Christian song and hear ONLY the harmony lines – and I think of Brother Tropp and thank God for putting him in my life. His wife Sharon was a fabulous pianist and played with such gentleness, sweetness and love. She was also a piano teacher. She TRIED to teach me to read music and play. But I was too impatient at 10 or 11 years old and I would just play it by ear. I just wanted to do it quicker!! She was a sharp lady though and figured out pretty quick I wasn’t doing it the right way – by learning to read the music. I wish I had.
I’m proud to say those two are still pastoring today at Unity Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas, and about to celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Soooo……ADD, OCD or both??? Well, maybe both. Because that’s me. I want things done right and done quickly. I love the books and messages on TV from ministers like John Maxwell and others about living a life of excellence, working at our jobs with excellence and serving God with excellence. I just want to do things right the first time because I’ve learned throughout my life that “haste makes waste”. ( “Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.” Proverbs 19:2 MSG.) Which means, take the time to read the directions, follow instructions and double check your plan…do it right the first time and you won’t have to spend the time to do it over.
The other day I was in my shop working and my daughter Courtney was there. She watched as I tore off a piece of masking tape and it didn’t tear even semi straight. You know how that masking tape does – it leaves a long piece on the side and then you have to pick it off. It’s so annoying and a waste of time. I was like “Oh UGGGHHHH I hate when that happens!” Courtney said, “Mom, it doesn’t have to be perfect.” I said, “Yes, it does!”
It got me to thinking….have I gone overboard with trying to do things too perfectly? I mean I want to do things with excellence because the Bible says to “work as unto the Lord”, “care for your flocks” and to live a life of excellence before Him. ( “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23) I always want to give Him my best. But if you’re like me, sometimes you feel like your best is just not always good enough.
That’s why I hate painting. I don’t have the skill or God-given talent to do it perfectly. But I love singing, because although I don’t really sing all that well in the eyes (and ears) of some, I can do it as unto God and to HIM it IS excellent. One of the greatest things in my life is that I had pastors like Glen and Sharon Tropp, as well as Christians in my life teach me that. The anointing of Christ will take over when you step out and use what God’s given you for Him.
You may be saying, “Well, that’s all good and fine for you, but I don’t know what my true gift or talent is!” All I can say is don’t be discouraged. Just try some things that you enjoy and God will show you. (“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 )
There are so many great singers and songwriters out there, but the ones that shine a light on Christ are the ones who really “make it”. Oh they may become famous to the world, but not very pleasing to God. And isn’t that our ultimate goal? To please Him. If it’s not, it can be. Then we can truly “make it”. (“Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3, & “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7)
Try this today: Take whatever skill, talent or desire you have…..no matter what it is....and use it to bring glory to Jesus. Only you know what these things really are, and if you don’t, ask God to show you. Just set your mind on it today and pray that whatever you do, you’re going to do it as if you were doing it for God. (“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21)
If you’re still unsure, then just do something good for someone else. Be joyful, commit and trust Him. (“Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:3-5)
The reality is that He owns it all, created it all and gave you the abilities, talents and skills that will fulfill His purpose. And you get to enjoy it! It wasn’t you, your choice, or your abilities. You didn’t create them. He did. In you! (“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 137:13) It was part of His purpose and His plan for you and your life. He knows how awesome you are, even when you don’t. (“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” Psalm 139:14) So give it back and just watch and see what He will do with it!
In my life, I have to find balance. I do tend to go overboard with things sometimes, but that’s because I was given that passion I witnessed in my pastor and asked God for. So balance for me is something I have to consciously work on by using God’s Word. You may have to do the same.
Pray this with me now: “Lord, today show me the new things about myself that you want to use for You. Give me courage and boldness to try. I believe you created me, gifted me and have a purpose to use what You’ve given me to make a Kingdom impact for You. So use me I ask, and help me to know what that special thing is that you created in me, and show me how use it to bring joy to someone and most of all to You. In Jesus Name! AMEN
10/14/13
Linda King Wilson
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