“It’s Just Tamson”
One night, coming out a small group meeting, a friend of mine did something crude and, when her husband scolded her for doing it in front of me, she said “What? It’s just Tamson!”
I took that as a HIGH compliment because nothing makes me happier than to be “that” friend, the one where you can be yourself and let it all hang out. Of course, it’s easier to let people see you “flaws and all” when you don’t feel judged . . . so you might admit to overeating with a friend who shares your love of food; you don’t bother to hide a messy house from a friend who is also organizationally challenged; you can admit your worst mommy moments to a friend who is also honest about her parenting issues; you can express doubts about your faith with someone who is also wrestling with questions . . . and the list goes on.
It’s nice to find a safe place.
Now I’d like to think I’m a safe place, a let-it-all-hang-out type of friend because God created me that way and I’m just awesome. BUT I have a feeling I’m a safe place because I’m a total mess and I don’t hide it. Life is messy and it’s fun and it’s joyous and sad – I live in the “tension of opposites” and do my best to revel in it and appreciate it, to feel every feeling and never hide.
In our annual Christmas letter this year, this was my wordy little self-portrait: I’m as crazy as ever. I take too many pictures, talk too much, eat too many sweets, drink too much coffee, buy too much “stuff, “laugh too much at the kids’ toilet humor – I’m pretty sure everyone I know would agree I am “too much” at times. But I love the Lord, love my sweet family, and this crazy life with all its ups and downs – and at the end of the day, I’d rather enjoy too much than to take a single thing for granted.
My prayer is to experience even more of the abundant life that Jesus spoke about (John 10:10) – the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:19) and that only comes when you love and give with abandon, as you allow God to love you. It’s amazing that God is both mysterious yet accessible, simple yet wildly complex, faithful yet unpredictable, wants us to mature and grow yet requires dependence. It’ a wild ride, but worth it . . .to discover the “life that is truly life.”
For me this blog will be a small part of that “wild ride;” part of the discovery. It will be silly and serious, uncomfortable at times, but always real.
And hopefully, it will feel like a safe place, because “it’s just Tamson.”
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I love this forum! Bring it on…Love your cascading thoughts and random observations.
You’re a dear sistah.
Christina
Just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement! Love you too my sistah.
So thrilled your blog is in action and I will be reading it every day. You are an original and no one thinks or feels exactly the way you do. Never look for affirmation, but always simply share the truth as you understand it. We all must respond to who we feel or think we are
and not to the expectations or beliefs of others. We need to love others, accept others, but never allow others to determine how we feel about ourselves. It is exciting and more comfortable to be affirmed, but always better to be true to who believe ourselves to be. We may not always be right, but at least if we are wrong we will not have to make excuses to blame it on others. ” Be true to yourself.”
Thanks to you, I don’t know how to be anything but myself – you taught me all about being true to who God created you to be (as crass and warped as it might be!). Love you so much and appreciate all the encouragement! I think you are just a little bit biased.
Just Tamson: Love, love, love that you are blogging! Had company the last few days and I wasn’t able to get to read it. But I’ve been looking forward to doing so. Now, sitting here with a cup of tea, I am truly loving it! Thank you for being “just Tamson”–it’s always been your best act! Kudos to Keith for a great Christmas present. Keep it up. I’m guessing your blog is going to be very popular. Is it ok to start sharing it on Facebook, etc?
Also…you’ve asked for advice–I don’t have any. You’ve set it up beautifully! Love and Hugs!
Hi Denise, thanks for reviewing and for your ever-encouraging remarks. Give me one more day before sending to anyone else. I’m not totally happy with the look yet, so I booked a session (some sort of tutorial to help get started) on the phone tonight. I’m hoping they can help me with a few details. I’ll probably send out a FB post tomorrow and then you can share with anyone you want (still find it humbling and strange that anyone would give a rip about my rambling thoughts, but I’m happy for the opportunity to share something I love to do). When are you going to start blogging, my fellow writer? I would love to have some company in this new endeavor. Love you!
I’m so glad to see you blogging. You are a gifted writer. Keep it up! The Welcome on every page might not be a bad thing if people come into the blog to a specific article from Facebook.
That means a lot. Thanks, Bruce. And because of the template I picked, I’m kind of stuck with the welcome on each page for now, so I’m glad you don’t think that’s such a bad thing. Thanks for your feedback!
How inspiring and encouraging to read these wonderful words. I will always remember the sweet little girl with a beautiful face, voice and smile when your family came to our churches for revival. Memories like these make my life much happier now at the age of almost 82. I will always consider your mom and dad almost like extended family. Thank you and may God bless you and your precious family. Betty Addington
Betty, what a nice surprise to see your note! Thanks for your encouragement. I know my parents think of you as family too. Thanks for being such a blessing to them through the years.
Enjoyed your writing. I hear from you & family through Dad.