Understanding Me, Myself, and I, by Sally

The information in V & F is about identifying what temperament you are and how you function. An example of a vessel is used to give a picture of that temperament, and an example of a flower is used to give a picture of how you function. When you can see that flower in that vessel it is another picture of who you are. Many properties of the vessel and flower are properties of what you are like. But why is that important, especially why is it important to me?

Am I selfish or egotistical because I want to know more about myself? Is it any help at all to understand this about me? Well, of course, I certainly do think it is. And here is why.

First of all, it helps me to accept myself as God created me. In Ps. 119:73 it says, "You have made me and formed me." So, God formed me. Wow! So it is all His fault. My freckles, my awful voice, my short stature, etc. are all His fault. He made the decisions of what I looked like, where I would live, and whose family I would be a part of, and on and on. He decided all of that either before or during my being formed. Now that brings on a myriad of questions. Why, why, why""

Sometimes it is a process to go through to look at all of this, and finally come to the conclusion that God knew what He was doing. His decisions were the right ones and hopefully we can come to the conclusion that God loves us and chose just the right properties of who we are correctly.

In "The Beginning" I mentioned that it took Brenda and me quite awhile to find just the correct vessel to describe what kind of temperament I am. But it finally did happen. The vessel that Brenda found was a Velvet Box. That is me. All of the properties of that vessel fit just who I am. So how does it help me to understand that??

It is very helpful to me to accept myself when I know that God chose that kind of a person for me to be. No matter which vessel you are, many times you begin to think that there is something wrong with you. While living among other people who are other vessels, sometimes we look at them as normal, and what we are as unusual. The one part of our seminar that Brenda and I always enjoy is when it dawns on women that it is all right to be who God created them to be. So many women are astonished at how accurately we can describe just what they are like. When I know that God created me just this way, there are many other women just like me, I can begin to accept myself in spite of all the flaws that I know I have.

Second, understanding brings freedom. I have spent many a year being sad at who I am. I don't like my looks, I don't like my reactions, etc., etc. The information in Vessels and Flowers has taught me all about who I am. I still reread about a Velvet Box. That so describes me and what I am like. And now I know there are many other women just like me. Complicated, touchy, private. All of the properties that I am, I have found out are natural for that particular vessel. I can finally be free to be who God created me to be.

In V & F we give many characteristics of each vessel and flower. We also address the challenges to each one. It can be very exciting to read about the accurate characteristics of each one. But we also caution that we all do have challenges. Just because it is natural for a Vase to be direct and want to move people to "get going", doesn't mean she should do that unkindly. We all have challenges in our natural reactions to line them up with God's Word and Christian principles.

So now when natural reactions come, like wanting to be alone, I can understand them and accept them. I can now even understand the reactions that are challenges. Before when I would get touchy over something said or done to me, I would feel bad that I am like that. Now I know that it is a natural reaction for a Velvet Box. So I have to begin the process each time by stepping back and taking the situation to the Lord and having Him help me deal with myself and others. That process give me freedom. The situation is no longer my master. God is.

And third, I have permission to be me. Me. Sally, in all her glory. I can finally understand what I am all about. It all makes sense to me, finally. I can give myself permission to fail, because now that I understand I can pick myself up and fix the problem with God's help. I accept who I am because God created me just this way.

I surely do not understand just why He chose all of this, but He did. So many problems of accepting myself and going on with the Lord are solved.

I love the verse in Eph. 1: 4 that says, "For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight." He chose us. He chose me. So now I can choose to accept me too.

I do pray that this helps you to know that God chose you before the foundations of the world and He formed you with His own hands. You are very precious to Him. God bless you.