In the beginning of 2014 I was blessed to participate in an online writing group where Michelle was one of the leaders; this allowed me to observe her wit and humor from a perspective of “tell me more.”
Later that spring, I joined the Spiritual Misfit launch team. The only problem, however, was that I joined late, so I was unable to receive a complimentary copy of the book. But where there is a will there is a way!
Not long after, I was checking my Facebook timeline and emails on my cell phone (which is not one of those fancy iPhones), and suddenly yelled out to my mother, “I won Spiritual Misfit! I’m in!” as my brother and nieces always say.
Thank You, Jesus!
When I opened the package a few days later, I discovered that Kimberly, the blogger who had hosted the giveaway, had specially wrapped the book and included a handwritten personalized note: “From one Spiritual Misfit to another. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Happy Reading! All the best, Kimberly.”
I decided not just to keep this gift to myself but to read it out loud to my mother. We are opposites – she is very outspoken and and I am an introvert.
Together we laughed till our sides hurt and cried with Michelle’s frustrations and doubts…which brings me to my own tale of misfittedness, which begins just before my third birthday.
We had moved from Michigan to California. I can still remember my mother’s announcement like it was yesterday: we were expecting a new addition to our family in the not-so-distant future. As much as my two-and-a-half-year-old young mind could comprehend the situation, I knew I was not happy. I understood that my little world, which up to that point had been all mine, would soon be shared with a sibling.
Couldn’t I have just gotten a puppy or something?
I was coached and prepared to become the older sister — a process which included a photography session for a special Father’s Day photo, a gift for my dad. Dressed in a pink Swiss polka-dot party dress with matching bottoms, I was permitted to hold my favorite teddy bear in the photo. Teddy and I smiled and poised for the camera. Later, however, my misfittedness was obvious to all who saw the photograph. The picture, with Teddy’s leg caught in a ruffle, revealed I was wearing an unmatching pair of pants beneath the polka-dot dress. I finally admitted I had changed into the yellow bottoms without mom knowing after I’d wet the matching pink polka-dot pair.
Of course this is just one small story in a lifetime as a misfit on a journey of life and grace.
As I read and reread the many reviews, blog posts and comments from the Spiritual Misfit launch team, I am truly amazed at how many people find a true and sincere connection, a personal relationship, if you will, to Misfittedness.
The truth is, we are all spiritual misfits, and I am one of Christ’s misfits as well.
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Sharon is a native Oregonian. She will have been married 41 years in November, and she and her husband have two adult children and six grandchildren, two kitties and a very old dog. You can visit Sharon at 
Dr. Vanessa Seifert is a DCE-Discipleship Catalyst at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. In this capacity, she teaches, writes, and encourages God’s people to see a discipleship culture in all parts of their life. Her work can be summed up by her mantra: “All of life is faith and all of faith is life.” Feel free to connect with her via Twitter: 
I’m honored to share my story with Michelle’s friends, and I’ve loved reading so many of your “misfit” experiences. Isn’t it amazing the way God accompanies each us on such unique paths to faith? Although Michelle and I have walked different journeys, I love that we have the same eternal destination!
Kelly is a wife, mother to five, and grandmother to eleven darlings. When she isn’t on her knees in prayer, you can find her playing with her grandchildren, pestering her husband, snorkeling down the river or writing words from the heart of a prodigal mom at 