I'm a Wannabe

It's the truth. I am labeling myself a 'wanna-be'.

Today I found myself soaking in a hot bath trying to relax my lower back that has been reminding me that I am no marathoner. I am a wanna be. I was reflecting as the jets in the tub completely missed my aching muscles and thought about how over the past eight years my purpose in life has changed dramatically. Maybe it's not my purpose, but my definition. It's funny, up until graduating college the only thing I would define myself as would be a student that enjoyed athletics. I didn't have the hardest major in college, managed good grades, competed in track and enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't have what I would call "real responsibilities" and my wonderful parents patted me on the back and financially provided for my varied activities.

After a couple of years in college, I found myself in love with my husband and we married immediately upon graduation. New role: wife. After college I landed a great job: employee. Three years after getting married we welcomed our first child: mom. I've been flexible and have had to learn a lot of lessons that came as requirements with these new labels. The biggest thing that I had to learn is what really "defines" me. I really struggled with the idea that I wanted a label. I felt a bit lost as to who I was. I want to be known as Mom of the Year, Betty Homemaker, world's greatest artist, quite the quilter, epitome of physical fitness, blogger extraordinaire, fashionista, phenomenal vocalist, momtog, world's best friend, hostess with the mostess.......the list could keep going for pages.

I try. I try everything. I'm really not too afraid of failure. I would say I'm a little bit crafty, a little bit of a cook, a little spice here and there. Then when I think about it I sound a bit like a casserole. Yes, a casserole. Seriously though, I don't have a defining label. Why would I want to be the "BEST" at something when in fact each of these little things that I try to do are actually coming together to make me a pretty unique person with many experiences to talk about. I may not be known for what I do, but those things come together like ingredients in a casserole.....can I take that back and make it something that sound delicious, like, cake? When you think about the ingredients in a cake, flour by itself isn't so pleasing to the taste buds, but you know it is important. Baking powder, yuck. Vanilla extract, I'm actually perplexed about this ingredient because it smells so good and yet the taste is so not....... back on track Meredith....Somehow though each of these things that aren't so hot by themselves become something that will knock your socks off. Well, depending upon the cook.

I guess I'm just being a little revealing today as I think about my motives for the things that I do. I really do want to run a marathon in June, my body is saying otherwise. However, it's a challenge and I'm going to keep after it. I may not win first place, I more than likely will be one of the last to cross the line, but I'm trying and learning something new about myself all along the way. That's all I can do. That's what I tell my kids, so I better start listening to my own advice. So join me as I throw our world's labels out the window and just be who we were created to be. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. God created us all as individuals and the only label that we need to concern ourselves with is that of Son or Daughter of the King!