The Only You God Made
“You are the only you God made… God made you and broke the mold.” ― Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life
So many people try to be someone they’re not! My daughter Abby never had that problem. She was true to herself. She liked computers and sports and dressing for the game not the sidelines! Her dad and I encouraged her to be the person we was not what a more traditional culture would have pushed her to be.
Like the culture one I grew up in. I liked to play sports and was called a “tomboy”. I was no kinda boy I just liked to run and play and move fast and climb trees and build forts. Fortunately I had two parents who encouraged me to be myself.
What if you are an introvert being pushed by this culture to be more outgoing? Take time for yourself. Be like my husband. He is strong and sure of who he is and happy to be himself. He takes the time to be alone and I honor him for it.
What part of your personality is unpopular to those around you? Don’t squash it, express it. God made only one you! Let us know you. We don’t want to miss the opportunity.
I have a friend, my very best really. We go way back. Friends since Junior High. She has always been true to herself. Always unique. So much so that many people in High School tried to be like her. She was popular, but for the right reasons. She is fun and funny and kind and thoughtful. We lost touch after High School, Cooley and I and I always missed her. Come our 10th Reunion time I got on the committee to help plan it, partly because she was on it and I wanted to see more of her. We renewed our friendship and kept it strong over the years.
I try to surround myself with people who are true to themselves. Genuine and honest. God has made them the way they are and they bring so much blessing to others. I’ve mentioned here my family and best friend in my life. There are so many I’ve met online. Stephen Caggiano, Heather Siebens, Mary Triviski, Dave Reynolds, Tom Wall, Denise Barlow, Mark Bernhardt, Mimi Baker and Sumner Musolf to name a few.
I hope you have been as fortunate. If not, start by being true to yourself. I believe you will draw the same kind of people to you! God bless and have a great day!
Libby Baker Sweiger 
In the words of populist philosopher, Jethro Bodine,
“If You ain’t who You is, You IS who You ain’t.”
That would be more than I could handle…..
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Steve! You are so funny, so clever, I almost find myself wishing I could be more like you…but that would defeat the purpose of my post! I love you — you’re hilarious and call it as it is. Maybe that’s why you’re my best buddy! Don’t ever change — that would be more than I could handle!
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It’s a blessing to know people who help make life worth loving. We can support each other and even challenge one another — to be.
I thank you for your friendship, Libby, for being who you are and, specifically, for the kind mention in this post.
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You are very welcome Mark! You are such a terrific friend. I value your comments so much and treasure knowing you. I can hardly wait ’til the 20th when you’re in MN! Hugs for real then!
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Libby, thank you for your blogs. Such truth, encouragement and meaning.
You are a blessing to myself and many others
Hello to Mike 🙂
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Scott, I have not been writing much over the winter and have missed it. Thank you for your encouragement! Love to your family! Libby
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Libby, I love your way of expressing yourself with the written word. I sometimes think I am seeing you as I read, and I really like what I see !. This time you have really captured the Libby I talk to, and read. I always look forward to your blogs as well as your FB posts. I’m rich with the good friends I have found on FB and those that have found me, and it all started with you.
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Tom, our friendship is such a blessing to me. I was thinking tonight, if God blessed me with funds I would travel to see all my wonderful friends I have made around the world who I have yet to meet. I would come to see you and your beautiful wife and my friend Joe Gier and his wife Tia who also live in Northern California. Your support means so much to me. I am happy you have found something in my posts and new friends through our friendship. May it continue to grow in the years to come and until our eventual meeting this side of Heaven would be delightful! 🙂 Thank you my brother!
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Lovely Libby, you have done it again my dear friend! Amazed me that is!!! LUMBJLUM!
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Mare, you are such a faithful friend. I look forward to your phone calls, our lunches and your greetings. “Lovely Libby” how did I get such a friend? Well, dear heart Heather comes to mine and Facebook, but to think we both live in the Twin Cities! Such a bonus. I love you dear sister and thank the Lord for you daily. LUMBJLUM! “Love you more, but Jesus loves you most.” I love that saying of yours! 🙂 Thank you!
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Hugs, mawh XXOO!!!!! Thank You!!!! Always be true to yourself, when I haven’t life wasn’t fun, happy and pleasant. I hope we meet in real life real soon! 😉
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Denise! I predict we will! MWAH! XXOO!
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