how is your lego looking?

I love learning about what makes people tick.

To kick off a women's Bible study that I'm in, I asked the women to tell the group their love language, temperament and birth order. If you haven't ever studied these different elements that can affect how people relate to each other, it's fascinating.

I think the ladies thought I was a little crazy at first, but it turned out to be really fun to find out who was the oldest of five or the only child until her mom had another when she was 7. It was cool to learn who loves words of affirmation, versus quality time; who was a laid-back creative type, versus an out-going leader.

But the next day, I learned about another defining quality that I had not previously thought about. How big is your LEGO?

It was actually my pastor who gave me the LEGO theory.

You see, we are all like a piece of LEGO. Think about all of the little nubs, or bumps or whatever you call the part of the LEGO that sticks up on the top.

Those are how the LEGO pieces connect to other pieces of LEGO. And that's kind of how people are. Some people have a big LEGO. Others have a small piece.

I think my LEGO is one of the big long pieces that you would use to build the base of a building or the roof. I have tons of those little nubs, because I want to connect with tons of people. The more the better. Bring 'em on.

If I meet someone new, I want to get to know her. If I'm in a group, I ask people obnoxious questions like, "So, what's your love language? Are you a first born? What's your hobby?" I just want to learn more about them and make connections. This can be a little much for some people, so I do my best to make my interrogations non-threatening.

And, oh, my... If someone goes out of her way to connect with me, I am the happiest girl in the world. Ask me a question. Invite me to coffee. I just want to connect!

But my pastor filled me in on the truth of the matter. A lot of people have a small piece of LEGO. Or (gasp!, sigh!) their LEGO is already full!

I've been feeling like a big LEGO in a world of full LEGOs lately and it was kind of bumming me out. But his explanation helped me understand.

If only people would post a little sign on their shirts. "Sorry, my LEGO is full." Or, "Three connections available."

Of course, the big LEGO people like me would be jumping all over the poor people advertising an open spot on their LEGO.

I've also noticed though, that what I love most is to have a couple of people in my life who just plant themselves over about 10 of the connectors on my LEGO. I love it when I just naturally connect with someone. You can give her a call to laugh, cry or just talk about the most mundane events of the day. One great girlfriend is better than 10 casual acquaintances, in my book.

Well, I'm learning to control my urge to try to plant my big honkin' piece of LEGO right on top of every other LEGO that comes my way. But if I'm blessed enough to make a new connection, that's a happy day for me.

And if this idea is too much for you, then maybe your Play-Doh is dried out. Or perhaps one of the rings on your Spirograph is broken. We'll have more on that next week. =]