Normal
Quick, what was the last compliment you received? Was it about your hair? Your dress? Was it a response to a social media post? Maybe you cooked an awesome meal or said the right thing at the right time to a friend. It’s always nice to get a compliment and a little bit of recognition for you being you.
The compliment that has stuck with me lately is a little different. I was told that I was normal. Normal! And while I couldn’t totally grasp how that was a compliment at first I think it’s to be embraced. Do you feel “normal”? Do you ever contemplate your life and think it’s pretty good…and normal? There’s a new age where normal is extraordinarily needed! Fame and fortune are fleeting and always have been. There’s a need for normal and normal can absolutely be a compliment if it follows our God-given talents.
There was a Saturday circled on our calendar for a few months. It was the day where dear friends of mine were getting married. It’s a tremendous story and while it’s not mine to tell there were many that were downright giddy about seeing them tie the knot. To add to the storyline my Dad was performing the ceremony. To even further add to the excitement Jan and I were going to drive to Boston the next day where I would run the Boston Marathon on Monday. It was a big weekend.
The wedding was everything and more. And I was given the opportunity to give a toast at the reception, which I stammered through. My words were from the heart and while I’m sure it wasn’t polished it was sincere. It’s easy to be excited about a couple starting a new life together. Out of the heart the mouth speaks and I hoped my words resonated with the audience. Maybe it didn’t but I gave them another chance to drink champagne so there’s that!
After the toast was when it happened. A friend approached and thanked me and dropped the line, “But you are so normal!” to which I nervously laughed. The tone and delivery was such that I knew it was a compliment but in our day and age “normal” isn’t celebrated. We try to punch out beyond normal. There are ways to self-promote and elevate oneself to get above everyone else which seems to be the rule and not the exception. Being normal seems to be code for not playing the game well enough or not being narcissistic enough to put yourself above anyone else. Normal doesn’t sell well! I have even found out that embracing “normal” can mean giving up riches and recognition as well. In my time here on Earth I have experienced Gods faithfulness and it’s been deeper than whatever fame or fortune I have come across.
She explained that she caught notice of a bike ride I did the previous weekend where I went fast and far. It was a typical ride for me but it captured her attention. It was an exercise performance that seemed out of reach for her, yet I was standing in front of a crowd speaking in a way that she could relate to, stuttering and all. One thing I did caught her attention but what was said resonated with her.
The compliment rolled around in my brain for the next two days. I was actually pretty restless with it because it wasn’t a “normal” compliment! The good news was that I had 26.2 miles of Boston streets to process it and that would be a good distraction for the inevitable discomfort of pounding the pavement for a few hours.
While I was walking to the starting line I felt like a stranger in a strange land. For many years of my life I had my livelihood tied to running and all of the gear that goes with it. I was part of the culture. But this year I couldn’t believe the amount of technology in the running scene and while my love of running has remained the same, my place within the scene has changed. There were carbon-plated shoes on nearly every foot. New fabric materials were part of everyone’s outfit. GPS watches that put the space shuttle to shame were fired up and computing the day’s data. There were nutritional items that were the latest and greatest around. And since this was Boston it was all there. It’s THE SCENE and to fit in among the crowd you had to have it. It was all really cool stuff.
It wasn’t until I saw some pics later that day that I realized how “normal” I really was. I appeared a bit more casual than the usual marathoner that day. Comfortable shorts and baggy t-shirt? Check! My favorite shoes bought on eBay for $48? Check! Stopping in a race to say hi to my wife and steal a kiss? Also check! After all, a marriage is to be celebrated even when the clock is ticking! I looked like a random Dad out for a jog trying to burn a few calories before saddling up to a big breakfast, not a data-driven runner looking to lay down a good Boston marathon time.
I crossed the line in 2 hours and 59 minutes which I was totally happy with. I ran as fast as I could for as long as I could and when I ran into the inevitable difficult miles I remembered how many other times my legs and faith had gotten me to the finish line. My training was aligned with the cross-country team I was coaching and the time available as to not upset good family time. I worked what I had to the best of my ability. There was a time that my times would have been “elite” but I can tell my lifestyle, priorities, and times are drifting towards “normal”!
So I write all of this to say that it’s ok to be seen as normal. We each have giftings and attributes that are personal, unique, and needed. And we should celebrate them! But it’s only a gift if others can receive them. That’s where “normal” comes into play. God gives gifts to regular old people like you and me and then we get to use them. But while they are unique to us they aren’t to puff us up but rather to compliment others and their gifts! To promote and place our gifts above everyone and everything else lifts us up rather than Who gave us the gift in the first place.
When others see our gifts as complementary to their own walk then that’s where normal kicks open the door of opportunity and encouragement. Time and time again God uses people that seem insignificant, regular, or normal in the worlds eyes to create a movement, both big and small, in the hearts of others. Our accomplishments can be admired but relating our achievements creates opportunity and inspiration for others. Relating to others is really what it is all about because a few minutes of fame is just that…a few minutes!
