The Grand lined up his two blue balls right next to each other in the backyard this afternoon. I took this picture just as he left them. He likes things in order. He does not like “messy.” He says it like, “Messy?”, as if to ask—“Aren’t you going to clean me up or clean up the mess?”

The Grand is who he is and he is perfectly happy that way. What a great way to live—to know who you are and to be happy being that person.

So many times throughout our lives we try to be like other people or measure up to others’ expectations. All through grade school and most of junior high I tried to be artistic like my best friend. I am not. Through high school I tried to be musical like my new best friend (we moved). I definitely was not musical.

Then finally in my early thirties someone took a chance on something she saw in me and my writing journey began. I had been a writer all along even writing a “book” about our family vacation in junior high. I also began to be more of who I am as a friend and not shy away from sharing my thoughts, ideas, home, and life with friends and acquaintances.

As I grew more and more into the person God made me to be, I became more comfortable with that person. I realize I am not everyone’s flavor and I am okay with that. I do my best to connect with others on some level, but we weren’t designed to be besties with everyone. We each have certain people we connect with more easily than others.

If you’re a line-up-the-blue-balls kind of person, embrace that. If you’re a person who doesn’t know a stranger, embrace that. If you’re not quite sure who you are, talk to God. He will show you. And then please, fully be that person. We are waiting to know you!

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.