I'm finding that the longer I live, the more I cherish the small stuff of life. I've always loved plants and gardening, but it's seems to amaze me more and more how those little garden plants can grow up in 2 months and produce an abundance of vegetables or flowers for the season. They start from a tiny little seed and begin to grow. How do they know what to grow into? What size to be? What flowers and then fruit to produce?
I know that the scientist's will tell you it's all in the genetics, but I think there's so much more to it than that. They can do the same with us. We are made up of so many genetic combinations that blah, blah, blah and not one of us will be the same.
Well, have you ever seen a couple with an abundance of children? Not one of them look exactly alike, even twins are vaguely different. They each have their own unique personality as well even growing up in the same household at the same time.
Everything in God's kingdom is unique and different for a reason. Just like they say you will never find two snowflakes that are alike, I don't think you will ever find two people that are exactly alike.
If you're like me and you don't like everything about yourself. Maybe what makes you different makes you stand out. That's ok. God uses those differences, even the things you don't like about yourself, to glorify him if you allow him to use you.
Maybe you have a disability and you can't do some of the things you see others doing, but you have a genuinely positive attitude about life. That positive attitude can be used in amazing ways for God's glory. I know a young man just like that. He was born prematurely and is slow about doing things and knows his limitations, yet he is always happy that he is alive and that he is able to do what he is. I have trouble with my limitations sometimes and I think about him and his effortless positive outlook on his life. How can I complain when he isn't? It's definitely an eye opener.
God puts us where he does for a reason. We all need to build each other up on our strengths and our weaknesses. Maybe we don't like where we are, our work, our schools, our home's location, but God has us there this very moment for his purpose. We all need to realize that we can't all sing like a songbird, write like an author, dance like a ballerina, or cook like a chef, but that we all have our own individual duties that we are good at that God wants us to use for his glory where we are right now.
Maybe you don't know what you're gifts are yet... you're saying, "God, show me the plans you have for me." Be patient and I encourage you to try a few things. Maybe you have extra time and you could go volunteer and try that out. Maybe you get compliments on your cooking and love to have people over, start inviting your neighbors over and if the topic comes up invite them to church if they don't attend one. Maybe you love to shop and you've noticed a neighbor that doesn't have much time for her family, see if you could help her our out by grabbing some groceries while you're out getting yours so she can spend time with her family. There are lots of ways we can glorify God despite our downfalls, and we don't have to be perfect at our attempts to serve him.
Christians are not perfect, just forgiven.... I keep seeing that and so true it is. Don't think that if you are or choose to be a Christian that you have to be the perfect Christian. We all fall and have our shortcomings. I'm not giving you the permission to go out and do something that you know is wrong because you can always ask for forgiveness. I think that's an idea that can get in the way of being a true Christian. If you truly love God, just like your parents, you want to please him in everything you do and sometimes you just fail because you're human, not because you knowingly failed. If you do fail, he's always ready to pick you back up, just ask!
So, all in all, don't get caught up in life because of your differences, God planned them! You are the special person he made you with all of your strengths and shortcomings. Keep smiling and let God work.
May you find God in your life somewhere today.
Love & Blessings...
