In the beginning…

I recently read a story about a newly discovered underground cave. One scientist called the cave “a beautiful anomaly.” An anomaly is something unusual, or in other words, weird. The scientists were delighted with this cave and dubbed it a national treasure.

Through that story, God got me thinking about how we all have underground caves in our lives. They may be quirks, regrets, hidden habits, or any number of things.

We usually work hard to keep people away from them. But perhaps they’re actually “beautiful anomalies” (or that’s what God can make them) and we should invite people into those places.

So I’ve decided to kick off this blog by sharing some of my underground cave stuff with you. It ranges from silly to serious.

My Top Ten Beautiful Anomalies

1. I change the lyrics to eighties songs and sing them to my dog.
2. I eat really weird, spicy things that make my friends shriek “Holley!” in the middle of restaurants. 
3. When I’m thinking really hard about something I totally zone out. For example, the other day I put deodorant on my lips instead of chapstick.
4. I have trouble getting out of bed on time. I even put chocolate on my alarm clock and it still didn’t work.
5. I’m more afraid of failure than I am of snakes or spiders.
6. I wasn’t “popular” in high school…and I wanted to be.
7. I have a baby in heaven.
8. I’m unusually fond of turtles and short, fat dogs.
9. I’m named after my Grandpa Hollie and he’s my hero.
10. When I get really nervous, I sweat and think there’s something in my nose.

Just in case you’re beginning to wonder, the point of all this is to declare up front that I don’t have it all together—and no one who comes to this blog is required to either.

Yes, I’m a Christian greeting card writer. But I’m also a wife, daughter, friend, and mixed up, messed up, saved-by-grace girl who gets by in spite of herself every day.

I imagine (or at least hope) you’re a lot like me too.

And you know what? God loves us that way. He knows all about our underground caves, our quirks, the things we think make us weird. Those anomalies may even be part of the story He is writing and we are living out.

I believe God has “beautiful anomalies” too. And His infinite capacity to love us as we are will always be one of my favorites.

So, what are some of your “beautiful anomalies”?

Comments

[Saul]

Here's one I can share: I will always order a Caprese Salad if it's on the menu... yum :)

I'm excited about your blog!

[Linn]

Well I can't say I've ever put deodorant on my lips or that I like short, fat, dogs. (Maybe that's because we're too much alike.) One thing we do have in common though Holley is the song thing. I'm great at remembering song melodies but I normally can't remember the words. Another weird little quirk I have is that I love to sing any song to the tune of Amazing Grace. At one time I had over 40 songs I could sing to Amazing Grace. Try it sometime. Jingle Bells, Gilligan's Island theme song, Beverly Hillbilly theme song, all work. You sing Jingle Bells Jingle Bells but the melody is Amazing Grace. We should start an Anomaly Hall of Fame or an Anomaly's Anonymous club!! You're amazing, Holley!

[Gwen]

Holley,

I love your blog...the design, the picture, and most of all the writing. You are a gifted gal! Thank you for sharing your life with the world!

I can relate to having many anomalies...and it's inspiring to think of them as beautiful. I'm going to remind myself of that the next time I look in the mirror and see those "baby pounds" that are still not gone! Maybe I'll even start celebrating a new jean size!

Love ya!
Gwen

[karen]

Holley,
I love your new blog!! I'm adding you to my "favorites". :) How encouraging and fun! And you gotta love those turtles and fat dogs (although I'm partial to tall, fat dogs myself).

Karen

[Rebekah]

This is a fun new blog Holley!

Some of my anomalies are:

• I want to adopt a baby from Sudan.
• I am addicted to finding good deals, especially on stuff for my kids.
• I still enjoy coloring, even though I'm 32 years old.
• I eat all day long, often for the wrong reasons.
• I love fast food, even though it's gross.

[Beth]

Hello dear friend! I am excited to read your thoughts on here. You have a gift for writing and I'm glad so many will be able to be blessed by that gift through this site! One of my anomalies is that I cannot help but keep random scraps of paper because I might be able to reuse them one day. (I'm finally getting better at actually using them.) :)

[BethanyJ]

Holley- Congrats on your many publishing! I am so thankful to know you and read your publications as I visit the card areas & other stores in my little world in Michigan. (I recently saw your Really Woolly kids booked & picked it up for a few baby gifts)

Here is one wierd thing I like- I am happy when my children are "regular". (yes, when my 8 month old has a soiled diaper, I gleefully change it) I believe there are three things that make a mom happy- good sleepers, good eaters and "everything else" coming out all right! (its better than the alternative, eh?)

[Elizabeth]

WOW Holley - this is great!! I will totally add this to my favorites list. I can't wait to read more about your your daily journey through life.

[Jjenny Dougherty]

Sweet, kind and gracious Holley. What a beautiful blog. Inspiring through your vulnerability. God has blessed you with gift you share unguardedly with others. Thank you for including me on your sneak preview.
I'm praying for you and Matt and your beautiful baby.

[Kim]

Were you thinking of me when you said that you eat things that make your friends shriek in the middle of restaurants? While it may be true that I'm a shrieker, you have to know that your adventurous spirit is one of the many things I love about you!

I have my own excentricities, I know. And I'm so grateful when God chooses to use them for His glory. I'm grateful, too, when someone else has some similar to mine so I don't feel like a total lunatic!

I, too, sing to my dog. Usually it is "You are my sunshine." He sits patiently and watches me and tilts his head from side to side as though he understands every word. And I'm such a creature of habit that sometimes I can't remember if I've even put deodorant on at all, so I have to do the discrete "run the nose past the armpit" move.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to laugh at ourselves, and for reminding us that things we may view as strange or wierd about ourselves are things God views as uniquely lovely.

[Rhonda A]

Holly, you are a very gifted writer. I have enjoyed reading your new Blog! You have a God given gift of insite, humor and passion. I do not know you very well, but that comes across in your writing. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us, and for all the wonderful cards you write that inspire everyone!

[Helen]

Your blog on anomalies brought tears to my eyes! I have so many anomalies. Some are funny and some are just too weird. Rather than mention them though I want to say thank you for reminding me how much God loves me despite them. This is something I need reminding of everyday!

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[Rosalyn]

Hollie,

You explained our inperfections as Christians in a way that we all can relate to but at the same time agree that through our relationship with Jesus Christ we have unconditional love with all of our quirks. I find the way you share who you are to be very fascinating.

[Shanthi]

Hi You have that wonderful gift of colouring simple routines into master piece writings....lovely sketches of anomalies...God loves us with all our eccentricities is such a good reminder of HIS fatherly love...thanks for writing this way. Love to read more. Be Blessed

[Rebecca L. King]

Alot of times when i am dealing with something it becomes a poem or song. Hear is one about myself...

She’s a messed up chicken

She’s a messed up chicken
Her feathers out of place
She’s a messed up chicken
In this worldly race
She flaps her wings
With much disgrace
She’s a messed up
Who keeps falling on her face
She’s a messed up chicken
She’s trying to fly
But someone took her feathers
And pocked them in her eye
She’s a messed up chicken
With no eyes to see
She’s a messed up chicken
Totally!
Rebecca L. King

Posted by: Rebecca L. King | January 26, 2010 at 09:52 AM

[Earle Kolbe]

I'm a messed up senior citizen soon to be 93, if God allows. I have written my memoirs, although I don't know why. No sons but 2 lovely daughters. We all love Jesus.

[Earle Kolbe]

I am a 'messed up' senior citizen soon to be 93 if God allows.I have just finished writing my memoirs, though I don't why. I have no sons but 2 wonderful daughters and we all love Jesus.

[Tina]

Hi Holley,
I stumbled upon your blog for the first time today and I believe I was meant to. I read a little bit about you and your first post and I immediately felt a connection. I am delighted to meet you, my name is Tina.
I'm just a regualar 32yr old woman, living my life one step at a time with hope, love and faith in my heart. I've never thougth of what my beautiful anomolies might be, but you've got me thinking...
Who am I and what might seem strange about me, to others? I am someone who, without regret, lives my life with my heart in the driver's seat. Living in such a manner has brought heartache, passion, vibrancy and seemingly impossible hurdles to my life. I've come to crossroads so many times and know the feeling of having to start over, but what I have discovered is that "Starting over" isn't really accurate. Picking up again where life last left off, is more like it. That to me, is my beautiful anomaly.

God bless,
Tina

[Dog Costume]

Chocolate on the alarm clock...interesting idea. Maybe I should try something similar, but with a jelly donut or something. That's definitely something I have problems with!

[Kate]

Holley,
Do you ever reply to people or the comments posted? There is something on this page a few posts up that should not be allowed to stay here.
Some spam or someone with a sick sense of "not so humorous" left a web ad to check out on April 9, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. I do hope you have a moderator. Bless you in your endeavors. I really like your blog. Thanks for sharing.

[Lisa]

Holley- one of the comments on your lists states that you have a baby in heaven. Holly that little baby is one of God's sweetest angels and I am sure the one that inspires you to do what you do every day and that's to reach out to people in need. That little angel of yours I am sure hangs close by your side when you need it. And just think your little angel already knows what heaven is and perhaps is your inspiration for all the beautiful things you can feel and share with others.

God Bless you and your angel!