I’ve always “admired” minister friends who carry “preacher” books in their pockets or under their arms (The larger, carry-under-the-arm versions are for really important “preachers” (just a little good-natured joshing!). Some have plain plastic covers. Others have fancy, even hand-tooled leather covers. These more elaborate versions often have cute little alphabet tabs inside and a 5 year calendar. Now we?ve got all these Palm Pilots and Blackberries available. Well, I call my shirt pocket my Palm Pocket! (g) These books never seemed to fit comfortably in the hip pocket of my jeans. Most of the guys carry theirs in their suit jacket pocket…well, now you’re beginning to understand my problem!

In my shirt pocket, there is always a list peeking out from behind newspaper clippings and my favorite brown pen. My list begins in my computer. However, as soon as the list is printed out, I think of things to add, so the handwritten (scrawly) part of my list is often longer than the printed (neat) part of my list. I’d be lost without it. One interesting observation: Often, just the act of putting something on my list insures that it will get done without even referring to the list again.

In my “list” folder on my hard drive there are lists with different names. One list labeled “Trip” contains those things I don’t want to forget each time I leave town and hit the road. Another list contains those things I must take when I head for the hills on a writing expedition. Still another list keeps track of ideas and topics which I want to further develop for teaching or for inclusion in one of my books. When I started writing for this Web page, I started a new list called “Moccodies”. One list shouts, “NOW”! So, even though I don’t have a fancy, shmancy leather “preacher” book, I do try to keep my “to do” things a bit organized.

I once read an anecdote about a preacher from many years ago. Someone asked him what he would change in his day-to-day schedule if he knew for sure that Jesus would return within 24 hours. He replied that he believed his life was as much in harmony with God’s plan as he could possibly cause it to be. Therefore, he would change nothing at all, even that which might seem trivial or insignificant to the casual observer.

SOME SELECTED RESPONSES TO “THE UNIFORM PEOPLE!”

– Great piece!! I fully agree and love being who God made me to be. One of the things I like most about the school where I work is the diversity. One can find just about anything there, from disgusting to absolutely beautiful (I am talking about the inside.). So many cultures are represented. I guess one of the reasons I have so many issues with the American church is that they expect “cookie cutter people.” It was true of the Bible College we attended, and I fought it then. It is only with diversity that we can truly learn. I love the adventure of it!

– Ben is a handsome young fellow, and I thank God he is back in the US of A. It’s so scary to think about him over in Haiti.

– In this day and age, if it isn’t “politically correct”, it must be wrong. In our haste to be tolerant of others, we sometimes throw the baby out with the bath water. A politically incorrect writing I once saw said this: What is popular is not often right; What is right is not often popular.

We were not made in a mold. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, made each and every one of us different. No stamp or cookie cutter. Unique and beautiful.

– It wasn’t Harry Chapin (no knock on him; he did some great stuff), but Malvina Reynolds who wrote and sang “Little Boxes:”

“Little boxes, little boxes, little boxes made of ticky-tacky,
“Little boxes, little boxes, and they all look just the same.
“There’s a red one, and a green one, and a blue one, and a yellow one,
“And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky, and they all look just the same.
…
“And the people in the houses all go to the university,
“And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky and they all come out the same.
“And there’s doctors, and there’s lawyers and business executives,
“And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky and they all come out the same.”

I went to UC Ber(ser)kely in 1958-1960, so I remember that era and that song. I think I have remembered the lyrics about right, but I haven’t heard it in a long time. We all need to be what we are made to be – there are no twins in the rebirth.

– You are sooooo good. We do need to make our own waves, don’t we?

– I loved this article about how we are all different. One reason that I enjoyed it so much is because my husband is the type of person who just accepts people the way they are… ME included… He has always encouraged me to be my own person and when I think I have to try to fit in, he reminds me just to be me. God went to all that trouble to create each one of us differently, so why should we try to be like everyone else.

– If God had wanted us all to be the same, He wouldn’t have invented fingerprints, laughter, DNA, eyebrows, skin color, four-part harmony, second and first sopranos, banjos and violins, blood types, dogs and cats, bluebirds and blackbirds, blondes, brunettes and redheads, blueberries and strawberries.

– I made a copy of this one for my principal. She is struggling with being different and standing up for what she feels is the true direction for a middle school in this setting. Thanks for the thoughtful insight to difference. I thank folks when they tell me I am not normal. I celebrate being abnormal, not the norm, out of the ordinary (you get the picture).

– Thanks for some food for thought. Please pray for my boss who has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This is quite a shock for all of us at my workplace. Please pray for a clear diagnosis and treatment. I’ve seen him and he is very weak. The workload is greater trying to do my job and his, but I feel the prayer support of many friends and colleagues.

Working with a team of dedicated Christians – they are definitely uniform people – other than their desire to serve the residents, so, I agree wholeheartedly about the need to be individuals, with opinions, with a willingness to listen to another’s viewpoint, to learn from those who are weaker, those with the quiet voices.

– Hi! Glad you’re back. I missed reading your thoughts. Your piece hit home with me because most of my informative years were spent trying to do things like my mom, because if I dared have a differing of opinion, I was wrong. If I tried to do something in a different way, again, I was wrong. You get the picture. So for many years I found it hard to have an opinion, or take a road less traveled.

I have tried to instill in my children that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion – that’s what makes the world go around. After all, that’s why God gave us vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. We’re all different because that’s how God wanted it to be. How boring it would be if we all thought and acted alike. How would we grow and learn new ways of thinking. Each day I try to think differently, and have an opinion, and believe that my thoughts are as good as everyone else’s. (Wow, did that bring about a lot of memories.) Take care. You and your family are in my prayers.

– My daughter is 33 and not married : How awful! (g) Even her pastor tells her this that if she were quieter, she’d get a man. If this and if that, she’d get a man. She is who she is and that is that. She figures that in God?s time He?ll provide a mate if that?s what He plans. There are interesting men in her circle of friends at Bible study. She likes some of them. Hmmm

– Oh, goodie. I fit into your piece well, as I don’t see myself as a “uniform” person. I used to think I was odd. But now after becoming a Christian and getting to observe people in church, at the dime store where I used to work, etc, I found the nonuniform people are the most interesting of all. I feel better about myself and better about the people who don’t fit in so well in society.

I mean, if you tell someone you don’t watch TV, let alone don’t have cable/satellite TV, they look at you like an escaped inmate from a hospital for the mentally ill. Tell them you don’t like Dr. Phil’s advice and choose to follow Jesus, and you are called a fanatic. However, they think screaming at a football game is sane.

Thanks for the article. Three cheers for the nonuniform people of the world. As Christians, we are all nonuniform people…. conform not to the world…

– Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote this: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”. Don’t you think Jesus did this a lot? Aren’t we glad we’ve followed His ‘trail’!!

– I’m not entirely sure why I’m e-mailing you, just that I want to respond to your article.

I first knew that God existed without doubt about fifteen years ago. It’s taken till recently completing an Alpha course to find the strength to pursue it.

I sometimes feel like, although I believe God loves me, that sometimes some Christians seem to be living dull, compromised lives. I think it’s my misinterpretation of their peace. I know that their lives cannot be for me. As a new Christian, trying to find my way in a wonderful but imperfect Church (aren’t we all), I’m struggling to find acceptance. Or maybe I’m struggling to find someone within the church to relate to / discuss this with who has passion for life. Or maybe I’m struggling to see it. I don’t know. But what it does make me feel is that I don’t belong.

Your article – about Uniform People – really struck a chord. I was especially challenged by the “be yourself without fear of repercussion” part. I live my life almost as if I know my time is limited. Immediately limited. It’s not a popular Christian point of view, but I can’t believe I have this permanent urgency without it having a purpose.

Your article gives me permission to breathe, and today, I needed that.