The first question that might reasonably pop into your head is, Are her parents really midgets? The second skipping into your brain may very well be, Is she really a giant?
No, and no... the person I called dad (gone since 2000) and the one I call mom (still with us), were what many would call short, but certainly not what is referred to in a politically correct world, as small people. I am happily petite, not too short, definitely not gigantically tall... a pleasant for me, medium, and in-between in every way. What I know about height, is that while tall people command respect without earning it, they can lose it just as quickly, as soon as they open their mouths. A short or petite person may be underestimated, but alas, it is the power of the punch, or punchline, that gives a person esteem in the eyes of self and other.
I am taller than my mom and while she shrinks, I do not grow, but the height disparity is significant. The odd thing about her stature is her desire to have things fit what she can reach, and clean, and bring toward. She gets frustrated when she has to ask for help, and I comprehend that it makes sense for an independent person to feel this way, and yet: asking for help is perhaps the most rewarding, albeit humbling experience, any of us could have.
I recall seeing apartments fitted for the short and disabled, accommodating their lack of height and their incapabilities, so that they could live comfortably without feeling limited and diminished. I admired this greatly as a thoughtful gift to those that could not help being vertically and physically challenged. In another remembrance, I recall being at the gym and realizing that the equipment I tried using, just wasn't made for me, it was man sized; many years later, standardized sizing changed, and there was that thoughtful accommodating for females, so they could get strong using weight machines too! Does anyone recall pink dumbbells? what a sweet colour to encourage strength in the weaker sex.
My dance around point, dear reader, is that there isn't a one size fits all magical man made measurement and at the same time, that does not mean we force things to fit our own imaginary idea of perfection either. There is a happy, middle ground in-between, where appreciating who we are, what we have, and who we have in our lives, counts as far more valuable, than wishing people and things would accommodate our own personal slant.
And then there is God's way...
I read recently that God makes temperaments that match occasions. This wasn't the exact wording of the message, but isn't it so very true to consider, that when bold fearlessness was required to preach the gospel in the days when Christ was cursed and denied as deity, that the apostles cared not to be esteemed by synagogue or state, but rather, spoke the Good News under threat and certain persecution. To each Christian that loves God to the point of not caring who might dislike them or disagree with them, he has given the Spirit of dedicated strength: the heavenly fitting for each saint truly is perfect in every way. Saints do not conform to secular ways or fixtures, they are other worldly, and when we cannot reach and bring things toward us, God condescends and gives us what we need when we ask. He is our help when we are incapable, incapacitated, or too short for the task at hand!
Don't worry, dear one, if you don't fit the mould that some might want to force you into. You don't belong there, and never did. You were formed and shaped by the Master Builder, and he made you to be uniquely wonderful. It is your soul that once conformed to his Spirit, will soar to heavenly heights without hindrance.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:2-3)
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