Peculiar Place

I discovered my ‘Peculiar Place’ just over thirty-two years ago.

Alone in my living room, I went to the window for the very last time. And on this particular morning, I did so out of obedience.

At first, I thought I’d heard wrong. After all, my loving Father wouldn’t ask me to return to a place of pain–where I stood on tip-toe, peering through glass into a space I was never invited to enter…

Into a room I’d named…

Normal.

But I’d been learning to hear His voice, discern between His and the many voices that vied for my attention.

And in those quiet times in that bright orange rocker, with Bible open, pen hovering over the pages, He’d been faithful to–

• Meet me.
• Speak to me.
• Hold me.

And, in turn–

I’d come to trust Him with my broken places.

So on that cold Kentucky morning, when I heard Him say,

“Return to the window,”

It only took a moment to determine it was Him. And I’ll admit–I asked Him…

“Really?”

Not so much with Zechariah disbelief but more with Mary amazement–like one with wide-eyed wonder inquiring–

“How can this be?”

But He was persistent, proclaiming again,

“Go.”

So I did.

In that place once more in my mind, peering in the pane to see what I’d seen so many times before, there they were.

All those people, going about their daily lives in a land of normalcy that I longed, too, to know. Or so I thought.

But God was up to something new.

Before I could linger too long, He said–

“Now turn.”

Again, “What?” came my reply.

“Trust Me. Turn.”

In obedience, with a pivot that put the window to my rear, I saw for the first time where I was, and the only word for it…

Freedom!

What did I do? I ran, ran toward Jesus, to hear Him say–

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).

That’s the day I departed Normal and entered a new land–a territory called…

Peculiar.

And you know what?

My precious Savior has guided me each day since, imperfect though I am…

Yes, peculiar as I am.

After all, I’m looking more and more…

Like Him.

*******

The following poem was inspired several months ago, when I learned from dear friend DiAnn Mills it was “National ‘Peculiar People’ Day.”

(Yes, it’s a thing!)

After all, what better time to pen poetry about my journey to freedom, when I embraced being a peculiar person too!

Perhaps you, like me, have been longing for normal when, all along, what your heart really needs is to turn from the window and take hold of your…

 

“Peculiar Place”

 

I remember standing at a window bay,

And to it I returned,

Day after day…

Yes, day after day.

 

On tip-toe I’d watch

Those going ’bout their lives–

Figurative folks, some whom I admired,

Even wondered ’bout at times.

 

There were those I knew,

While others were strangers,

And though I was sad,

They did not present dangers.

 

This went on for years, really–

Until the day I heard Him say,

I heard Him say

Truly…

 

“Turn.”

 

“Do what?” was my reply.

After all, the window was familiar.

Those within, even if unknown,

were family.

 

And so I asked…

“Why?”

To turn was to trade,

And that was quite scary.

Would that make me a traitor?

I was, in fact, leery.

 

Still, He said it again,

Again He said, “Turn.”

And then, like the echo

From under water, I heard–

 

“See! I’m doing a new thing!”

Aha! Wise words from Isaiah 43:19,

And for me.

“Me?” I questioned my King.

 

For so long, I’d peered longingly

Through the pane,

Wishing for normalcy

Like all those within.

 

Yet, each visit left me

More and more alone–

The irony of that visceral response

Never hit home.

 

Yes, one always on the outside,

Always looking inward,

Never invited to enter

The room I’d named one word—

 

Normal.

 

And what was His invitation?

That call to turn?

This ‘new thing’ He desired to do?

The lesson I’d learn?

 

It started with a step–

An obedient act of trust.

I could stay and never see

Just what it was He had for me…

 

Or I could turn,

Could take that step

And come to know

His secrets kept.

 

And so I did.

I turned around

And there discovered

I’d been found.

 

I wasn’t lost…

Had never been.

The window, an idol, had become for me…

Sin.

 

Indeed, something that separated me from Him.

 

I’d been looking to others in search of my worth,

But wound up empty,

More alone than ever

On this earth.

 

My longing for normalcy,

To feel I fit in,

Made me focus on others,

And not upon Him.

 

When I turned around,

Ran head-long through sunshine

I heard Jesus laugh,

“Dear child, you are Mine!

 

He continued, “Let’s be honest,

I was far from normal.

Peculiar, yes!

That’s what people called Me…

 

“When I hung out with hookers

And ate with the homeless…

Laid hands on the lame man

Set free the possessed…

 

“Normal? Never.

But holy–yes!

And I’ve called you to the same,

I desire no less.

 

“With it comes joy in place of sadness,

And peace, yes peace, in place of your strife.

That’s the ‘new thing’ I’ll do,

Yes, I’ll do with your life.

 

“So flee from that window,

And do not return.

You’re not made for ‘normal,’

That’s not your concern.

 

“Be peculiar like Me–

Be strong when you’re weak.

Be kind when it’s hard.

Shun pride and be meek…

 

“Love when it’s tough,

Even when you are wounded

And discover I’m always,

Yes, always enough!”

 

That’s what He said

On the day that I turned.

And though it took time,

The lesson I’ve learned…

 

Is that normal’s really not what I desire,

but that which ignites,

Which burns

Like a fire…

 

Is to be different like Jesus–

 

To weep when He weeps.

To love what He loves,

And believe

That He keeps…

 

Me close to His heart

Where I hear His heart beat,

And then march to that tempo,

To keep dancing feet…

 

In a world that might think

That I’m strange or quite odd,

Yes, peculiar, like Him–

My Friend, Abba God.

 

And now I’m quite happy

With not fitting the ‘norm’–

In fact, I’m quite comfortable

With a shape and a form…

That resemble my Savior–

The One who first called,

Saying, “Turn from Room Normal

Though some think you odd…

 

“Choose to be different

As you walk in My ways,

And come to love much

This Peculiar Place-–

 

“Yes, your home, but not quite,

As you walk out your days

In pursuit of the real Home I’m preparing for them

Who love as I love.”

 

Amen.

Yes, amen!

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

ASK:  Are you peculiar? Or are you still clinging to normal?

If peculiar is defined as “that which is out of the ordinary, unusual, particular and special,” then Jesus exemplified this.

And if He’s our example, why do we strive for normal?

Instead, embrace being peculiar and walk the path of…

Peace! 

Thank you, sweet Savior, for setting me free! Help me look more and more like You, because peculiar is beautiful. And normal? Well, it’s just a setting on the dryer! Amen!