A few years ago, Leeman and I got really into the sit-com 30 Rock, and I developed an instant affinity with Tina Fey.  I mean, how often do you get to see a brown-haired, bespectacled nerdy woman as a TV star?  Specifically, how often do you honestly get to see a successful career woman embracing her awkwardness:

My favorite moment might be when Tina Fey's character Liz Lemon finds herself at a high-brow New York party--and has no idea what to do.  Attempting to crack a joke, Liz elicits nothing but stunned silence from the crowd when she makes an obscure Star Wars reference. This pretty much sums up every time I find myself in a social situation where pijamas are not acceptable attire.

I spent my Boxing Day reading Tina Fey's autobiography Bossypants (a Christmas gift from Leeman).  I could go on a feminist excursus about powerful women, gender relations, et cetera.  But I think there might actually be a more interesting theological point to be gleaned from the book and from someone like Tina Fey.  (Stay with me--I'm not about to suggest that a comedy writer and TV producer is the height of theological sophistication).

Our consumer culture is based on a lack of satisfaction.  I mean, that's what the whole commercial side of this Christmas season seems like--what you have or what you are isn't good enough.  You need to upgrade.  You need something bigger, better, faster!  Something to make you feel better about yourself or make you feel like you'e keeping up with the rest of society.

One of the things Tina Fey effectively deconstructs in her book are the subtle social pressures we place on one another (particularly on women).  Women are, for example, supposed to be simultaneously fairy-tale pretty with blond hair and blue eyes, but also exotically "ethnic."  Taking satisfaction and delight in being the people we were created to be is out of the question.

The awesome awkwardness that Tina Fey embraces cries foul on this whole concept. By embracing her inner dork, she makes the statement that it is ok to love and accept who you are.

I think there is a very important spiritual point for us in that.  Never being *quite* the coolest kid on the block growing up, I've always battled self-esteem issues.  But at some point, we do all need to accept that we are unique children of God.  We have all been created with our special quirks and foibles.  Especially in a high-pressure place like Toronto, it is all the more important to remember that our worth does not come from what we possess or what *we* can make ourselves into.  Our worth comes simply from being who we are and seeing ourselves through God's eyes.