Living Outside The Lines

By, Becky J Miller

Remember being a kid and playing hopscotch? If your foot landed on a line, you were out and your turn was over. So, in hopscotch playing inside the lines is the desired modus operandi, but in life, at least mine, not so much. I want to play outside the lines because that’s where all the fun is!

Lest anyone think I am endorsing illegal or unethical behavior, I absolutely am not. I’m talking about living a life not shaped by a cookie cutter mold, one that questions and defies accepted norms, not out of rebellion, but out of a sincere difference of opinion; a unique perspective as it were.

Most people have heard their mama say, “Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t make it okay.” One cannot deny the infinite wisdom of mothers. So, if those were words to live by as a child, why do many of us seem to have forgotten them as adults? My life does not have to look like yours nor should I be judged based on someone else’s perception of what my life should look like.

Maybe, just maybe, the person going against the grain is the one who has it right, and it’s the rest of us who are following the crowd that have it all wrong. Driving the wrong way down a one-way street obviously is a norm that should not be defied, unless one has a death wish, but what is wrong with challenging things for which there are no clear constraints?

Let me give you some examples; there are those who think a woman should not darken the doors of a church unless she is wearing a dress, heels, and panty hose. Well, why? It’s hot and I don’t like panty hose. Should a lack of panty hose disqualify me from participating? I think not. As long as all the important parts are covered, shouldn’t people be free to wear whatever makes them comfortable? After all, doesn’t God look at the heart?

Personally, I have a heart for foreign missions; I’ve worked in orphanages/malnutrition centers in China, Haiti and Guatemala, and am travelling to Africa next month. Some would judge me for going outside our borders when there are needs at home. To that I would say, “What are you doing about those needs?” Living inside the lines might dictate only domestic outreaches, but living outside the lines says I can go where my heart leads.

Are you curious about living outside the lines? Tempted to dabble there? Hang out a bit? Stick your toes in the water? Wonder what other nuggets I might divulge? If so, stay tuned for my next column. If nothing else, it’ll likely take you somewhere you’ve never been and just might lead you to exciting new places!!!

Until next time,

Becky J Miller

Warrior Princess

Dawn: Awesome article!

Autumn: LOVE UR COLUMN!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!!