Now there’s a word: Normal.

Normal is a good word for body temperatures. Normal is a good word for weather patterns.

Normal is not a good word for people. Especially not a good word for children.

We might think we want normal but what that really means is:

look like everybody else. (don’t wear those colors or patterns together)

behave. (when you feel silly and want to laugh)

be quiet (when you want to sing).

hurry up (when you want to go slow and look at the flowers)

Because why? (so you don’t embarrass your parents and make them look bad)

Hmmm

Normal isn’t really all it’s cracked up to be just so you know.  Take it on good authority here.

Let your children pick their clothes.  Let yourself wear something different than usual (another boring word for normal)

You were not created to be like everybody else.  You are unique.  You are intended to live the life you’re given by offering the uniqueness that is you to the world. The world who needs people like you to live out of the culturally imposed box or the family imposed box or the school district imposed box or the church imposed box…

And that beautiful soul of yours may need some freedom to express the image of its Creator. His image in you that He has made to share with the world so that He can be seen. In you. Through you.

You might just discover a little of who you really are if you step out of the box of normal.

Normal is just a setting on the washing machine.

I wish that was an original line but it’s actually a lyric from one of my all time favorite songs. “To All Purple Tree Trunks” by Jack Pearson.  Jack is a self-proclaimed “weirdo” who lives his art by writing and making music for children (and their “normal” parents). Don’t let the word “weirdo” bother you…it’s the favorite word thrown from in the box people to those of us living out of the box of expectations.

Please go listen.  Then come back and tell me your thoughts.