Saturday, August 16, 2025

DON'T CONFORM

 

Gen Z — what are we going to get with this next generation?

They might:

  • Value authenticity—want to be “real” rather than polished.
  • Be less swayed by traditional authority or institutions.
  • Prefer side hustles, freelancing, or creative projects over traditional 9-to-5 jobs.
  • Feel comfortable blending passions with income.

At first glance, these traits may feel new. But as I look back on my own childhood in the 1950s, I realize some of these values were already alive in my family. In many ways, we were non-conformists long before the term was popular. My dad didn’t think furniture was necessary when orange crates would do. My brothers dreamed of flying to Mars. My sister resisted joining youth group at church. I refused to play a musical instrument and often chose the opposite of what everyone else was doing—just to prove I wasn’t conforming. Meanwhile, my mom held firmly to her belief that every woman should get a college education, and she assumed that we were all “perfect people” who always made the right choices.

Of course, life eventually taught me otherwise. As I grew older, I discovered I was not perfect, and I couldn’t just wing it when it came to work or home life. My early goal had been to have fun—dating without any interest in marriage and resisting the idea of being a housewife. My post-college dreams were ambitious and adventurous: becoming a Rockette in New York City or serving as a Gray Lady in South Korea.

But life has a way of surprising us. My last boyfriend asked if I wanted to make our relationship more permanent. I assumed he meant marriage. Since his dream was to sail to Tahiti, I agreed, thinking our life together would be adventurous and house-free. Instead, we got hitched and settled into a house. To my surprise, Chris expected a full three-course dinner every night. I began checking books out of the library to learn how to cook. Six years later, after teaching first grade, we welcomed a baby girl. Once again, I turned to the library—this time for books on how to take care of a baby. Around the same time, our church started a mothers of preschoolers group, and I learned a great deal from being part of that community.

Still, there came a point when housework and family life felt overwhelming. That’s when I turned to God. I joined a Bible study and, later, prayer groups—especially after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Slowly, I learned that true self-esteem doesn’t come from perfection, achievements, or doing everything right. It comes from seeking God. With His help, I began to develop the talents and abilities He had given me. He was shaping me, not into the world’s idea of success, but into His image—reflecting His character and fulfilling my divine purpose.

As Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”







Friday, August 1, 2025

TO HUG OR NOT TO HUG THAT IS THE AWKWARD QUESTION

 


My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins never hugged as we were growing up. Physical affection just wasn’t part of our family culture.

But over time, something began to shift.

Our family of non-huggers slowly started to change. A family friend, Nan—a warm and outgoing transplant from Northern Ireland—would hug us without hesitation. Then a cousin married a woman who hugged. Later, a mom of one of my son's classmates greeted me with a hug. These huggers just couldn’t help themselves—it was in their nature.

That’s when I started to wonder: why hadn't hugging ever been part of our norm?

I tried to analyze the situation. Maybe our family avoided hugging because our ancestors had survived contagious diseases by keeping their distance. Or perhaps it was more psychological—maybe we were all engineers or scientists who preferred logic to physical connection. Were we completely non-tactile by design?

Then came a new perspective.

A friend mentioned that hugging is medicinal. That is, it’s actually healthy to hug. Some even say it lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and improves emotional well-being.

In faith communities, there's even discussion that the modern-day hug has replaced the “holy kiss” once practiced among early Christians. That’s a fascinating evolution in how people express warmth and connection. (Click here to find more thoughts on hugs.)

The Bible offers a beautiful image of embrace in Luke 15:20:

"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

It turns out—even in Scripture—a hug can say what words cannot.