Fresh Perspective, Skin & Shower Tiles
Really rolling the dice in assuming you need at least 1/3 of that subject line.
Going into my mid-20’s, I had this idea that one day I would reach a point of mega confidence in what I was doing, in who I was. Whatever the “what” or “who” ended up being - I just knew there had to be a moment of “Ah, yes, this is it.”
There had to come a moment that my own skin would feel less…uncomfortable.
Blame it on the “boss babe” culture sprouting around that time or on the promise made to all millennial children - “You can be anything you want to be”…finding what to blame won’t make it change.
I was sold the story if you try hard, your road is easy.
Now, in my 30’s, I’m less convinced. This desire to prove is always lingering. This belief exists that others know the answers, when the truth is we’re all asking the same questions: Who am I? What am I here for? (More on those this month.)
Every season makes you into a new person. I am not who I was at 23 (thank the Lord those gaucho pants stayed back there). I most likely won’t be who I am now when I’m 43 (but can I please keep my current, already sad metabolism?).
So this discomfort of answering questions we thought that college advisor or well-meaning parent had already answered - it’s a low hum underlying our everyday.
But, here’s the deal: There is always a little bit of discomfort associated with following Jesus. Some times, a lot-bit of discomfort.
We weren’t made for this world. We don’t fit. And so while we may think the next season of life will take away our questions - most of the time, it just creates more questions.
We don’t need answers. We need perspective.
What To Know
There’s not much for me to add, so I’ll let our NOTM Faith & Culture Contributor, Kaley, take it from here, shifting our perspectives in “It’s Not What You Expect”:
God doesn’t come like we expect.
A baby isn’t what we expected.
A suffering servant isn’t what we expected.
A carpenter isn’t what we expected.
A merciful, gracious, Savior isn’t what we expected.
John the Baptist thought he would make the way for Jesus, getting as many people to repent as possible, then Jesus would come and punish the rest for not listening.
Isn’t that what we want sometimes? If I do what's right, follow the rules, I will be rewarded and those who don’t will be punished?
It’s only fair.
But fair is a four-letter-word. It feels good to say, but it isn't super helpful.
John expected Jesus to bring judgment down on the world, not take the judgement of the world on Himself.
God isn’t like we expect.
Jesus came humbly, ministered in mercy, and suffered on a cross rather than sit on a throne.
Suffering was always His plan.
That felt a little wrong to write--did it feel wrong to read? But God's plan to save humanity required Jesus' suffering.
If our Savior suffered we can expect to suffer.
John the Baptist had no idea how he would suffer in the end. I imagine he would have chosen to avoid prison and a beheading (Matthew 14:1-12). But I also believe John wouldn't have changed a thing about his story--suffering and all.
It feels silly and small to write about suffering with the current circumstances of our world.
But suffering isn't a cornered market. It doesn't have pre-requisites or limits. It isn't measurable or objective.
Suffering comes for us all.
And your suffering isn't less heavy or hard just because you aren't the only one suffering. It doesn't work like that. In a not-so-funny way, there is plenty of suffering to go around.
On October 29, 2021 the last line of my journal reads, "I'm tired of suffering. Does it have an end?"
I don't know that suffering has an end. It's like a door once opened, always staying cracked.
It opens our eyes to a world we were once blind to.
It opens our eyes to the heart of God.
The heart which both allows deep pain, but holds space for the greatest comfort. The heart that sent His Son to the cross, but made a way for you to experience mercy. The heart that demands holiness, but provides grace.
There is a depth to the things of God that can only be accessed through the pain of suffering.
Maybe your life isn't turning out like you expected.
Maybe it's even worse than that.
Maybe you have been asking God for an end to your suffering.
But what if that's not the answer? What if we aren't meant to try to escape our suffering, but to embrace it?
What if in that embrace you are embracing the very heart of God?
Deep, right? But we’re better for leaving the shallows. Every time. Dive in.
What To Ignore
The stress of picking a new skincare routine. I’m running low on my current Rodan & Fields Reverse Regime (it lasted me, no joke, three months) so I of course got our NOTM Beauty Contributor, Rachel, on the line to help. (And by on the line I mean I texted her this morning and said something along the lines of “Please help me, I’m old.”)
She directed me to Curology and their $4.95, 30-day trial. So I’m going to ride this bus through the month of April and will report back in May.
Side note: I also asked her how long you give it for results? (i.e. if your skin goes crazy, how much of that is normal and what raises red flags?)
Her answer:
You’ll want to give it at least two weeks to transition. If you’re still experiencing breakouts, redness, flakiness, etc., you may need to cut down on your usage of the treatment.
They often use a type of retinol that can cause irritation in the beginning. You’ll also want to slowly start integrating it… 2x the first 2 weeks, 3x the next 2 weeks, then daily. If daily is too much, cut back.
This is a science, people. Just call her Bill Nye.
What To Try
The truth of the matter is…
I’m a sucker for life hacks. But, the for real ones. Not the “prep all your food for the week on Sunday” because all you’re doing at that point is hacking into my Sunday afternoon nap. But, like, do some squats while you brush your teeth? Now, that, I can do.
I want the small, not altering my life that much that bring big, life altering results. Routines to adopt. You get the idea.
On this list of 17 Helpful Hacks - there at least three I’m giving a whirl. I can personally vouch for numbers 5, 7, 15 and 16.
I’ve recently purchased a soap dispenser dish washer, filled it with shower cleaner and do a quick scrub down to the tile while in the shower. Honestly feels a bit odd seeing that all typed out together, so jury’s out on if I’ll maintain this little practice.
We’ve been dreaming big for the future of NOTM. And I’d really love your feedback to help shape those dreams. Be on the look out for a survey in the coming weeks. Why do I love surveys so much? ASKING for my opinion?! I don’t just have to force it??
What a novel idea.
