there were no lines in the beginning

some
one passed the paper
then the colors
and then spoke
instructions
directions
expectations

color
a picture
and
stay inside
the lines

over time
those who colored
outside the lines were
not chastised
however
they did not receive
the praise
those who stayed
within the lines
did

typical
normal
do what is expected

and

you will make good grades
win awards
ultimately
you will be
accepted and
loved

and for the most part
i have
and will continue to do so

but not
entirely
any
more

it took me a life
time to understand

GOD created me
and partly my life colors
spill outside the lines

and yet

i've discovered
love
acceptance
commitment
success
and faith

exist
outside the lines
of what is defined 
by the masses as 
typical and normal

living
outside the lines
requires
strength
intelligence
courage
and a heaping dose
of self
understanding

along with
these virtues
come
gifts
i would have
never known

many say
living outside the lines
of typical and normal
means
immorality
sloth
unrighteousness
unfaithfulness

but this
is not true

it is
just
NOT
true

i've met too many people
who are
defined as
"unique"
for one reason or another
who prove this
judgment wrong

the time has come
to go back to the drawing board

take out your colors
and create like GOD
created

there were no lines
when GOD
created and colored
life into existence

there were
no lines

GOD did not
create lines

GOD created
life

full
flowing
spilling over life

that is what
GOD created