It took many years for me to realize one of my ears was lower than the other. But when every pair of glasses I ever bought tipped the same direction, I finally gave up criticizing the glasses and figured it was me.
In another dimension dilemma, one leg is longer than the other. If new slacks need shortening, one side always needs a tad more than the other. Eventually I was forced to acknowledge I was just plain crooked.
But that isn’t all bad. Instead it’s an indication I was handmade, just like pottery created on a wheel, a quilt made on a stretcher or a drinking glass blown by mouth. And that’s the definition of unique: no two alike.
Although we all love handmade when it comes to home decor and baked goods, faces are another matter. In that category we strive for parallel perfection, one side mirroring the other. Years ago I had a conversation with a plastic surgeon and asked about facial symmetry. “It doesn’t exist,” he said. I suspected as much.
People, especially women, kept him in business by paying him to rearrange their asymmetrical faces, altering one side or the other to make them match. Surgical changes are tricky, though, and despite precise scalpel work, perfection remains elusive.
God creates each of us unlike anybody else. He gave us unique fingerprints, already visible on the hands of an unborn baby at 14 weeks in utero. He also designs unique irises for each of us, and even our tongue prints are one-of-a-kind.
Individuality is important to God. He could simply “poof” us into existence but instead chooses to design us. According to Scripture, he personally makes “all the delicate parts” of our bodies (Psalm 139) with thought and supernatural effort, including our symmetry or asymmetry. Surely he could put together a bodily perfect human being, and yet he doesn’t. Might it have something to do with handing us opportunities to accept his will over our own? Or possibly offering us a chance to become content with less than perfection?
I’ve been remiss over the years, whining about my physical flaws to my kids. The result of that false pride was their inaccurate opinion that I was judging them the same way, which I wasn’t. But that was the prideful part, focusing on myself. With their patient corrections, I’ve stopped self-criticizing… at least audibly.
It occurred to me my dissatisfaction with the ways God has made me unique is probably disrespectful to him, maybe even disloyal, which makes me feel awful. I hope I can eventually get it through my crooked head that being handmade by God is an incredible gift, bi-level ears and all.
“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.” (Psalm 139:15)
What amazing & comforting truth –we are each designer made! This is especially meaningful because we are to “see” our newest grandchild, Leah McKinley, via ultrasound. She will spend two more months in her Mommy’s nest while God puts the finishing touches on her. The doctor will do a compete physical on her while we watch in amazement. It will be like an eye witness to creation. God still does it everyday!! The last time we did this with her older sister two years ago, my feet did not touch the ground for days. At that time, the doctor chuckled as he examined Annaston Grace’s feet. “She has a webbed toe (2nd & 3rd toe slightly grown together”. I couldn’t contain myself & blurted out, “I do too!”. Her Mom then announced, “I do too” ! It’s a trademark that makes Anna unique & special. Your pictures prove you to be perfect & lovely! God did a magnificent work! Now if you can just find someone to make you some “designer” custom glasses:-)
Hi Margaret,
This is a revelation indeed, to consider that crooked glasses might be the result of unlevel ears. I wonder how much it would cost to custom make glasses in keeping with my asymmetry. 🙂
Back in the day, before politicians stuck their noses into education (do I sound bitter?), I had time to teach some interesting topics that were gasp, not on a standardized test. I had students bring in a picture of their faces as frontally dead on as possible. Then they put a mirror down the middle of the picture to see what they would look like IF they were symmetrical- rarely did it improve the look. In fact, there is an “old” and a “young” side to our faces, depending on which way the mirror is facing. Try it readers, though it might not be apparent to those of us already old or too young!!
Now since the holy of holies and heaven itself are described as a perfect cube, I can only assume that all of the math will be redeemed in eternity and perfect symmetry will be restored from the effects of the curse!!
Love,
Terry
You are a beautiful woman of God, inside and out! =)
God created each of us, and whatever God creates it is good. Who am I to tell God He got is wrong. Accepting the way I physically look took time,(for some, they may never approve of my appearence) accepting the way I am inside, I pray to God won’t happen until I reach eternity.
This is not to say I don’t try to smooth the rough edges through what I wear or make-up…
I wholeheartedly agree with Linni, and, as usual, I needed to hear this today! Mimihugs.
Now if only the clothing designers and manufacturers would get that through their heads!
So that’s why there are so many lines of make-up and age defying products on the market. Can’t wait to see the person who comes up with a way to mirror the good side of the face onto the imperfect side of the face.