Dear Emma:

Wow! What a month it has been! You turned 11 years old and you finished elementary school. Watch out middle school, here we come! Since I know without a doubt there is so much change ahead, I thought before we get in the thick of it all, it would be a good time to remind us both to be who God has created us to be and not to get caught up in comparing ourselves to those around us. The truth is, lovey, this is so much easier said than done, for there are times when all of us wish we were more talented, prettier, smarter, funnier, more athletic, etc… Even grownups struggle with this. For example, I’ll be the first to say, there are so many people that can sing and speak so much better than I can, and if I were to choose to fall into the trap of comparing myself to others I could very well feel inadequate and miss out on the opportunities that God has given me to use what I have for His honor and glory. That is why it’s so important to understand that while there will always be someone who is better at something than you are, no one can ever be YOU and fulfill the awesome plan that God has for YOUR life!

In addition to losing our confidence, what also happens when we compare ourselves to others is that we can start trying to become someone we are not. I was just reading the other day in I Samuel 17, the story of David and  Goliath. As I read the familiar story, I couldn’t help but think that when David first saw Goliath, for a fleeting moment he had to have felt a little insecure at how much bigger Goliath was especially at nine feet tall! In fact, David even allowed King Saul to talk him into wearing all of Saul’s armor which totally didn’t fit him and made it so that he couldn’t even walk. Can you imagine if he had tried to go into battle like that? I’m pretty sure it would have had a completely different ending. However, David quickly realized that His protection was in the name of the Lord not in someone else’s armor, and the same God that helped him defeat lions and bears would be the same God to help him triumph over Goliath. He decided to be himself and allow God to work through him rather than trying to be what Saul wanted him to be. There is so much power in this principle. We are most effective when we follow the plan God has for us rather than following after others. I share this with you, sweet girl, because there are going to be times when you are going to be tempted to try to be like other people rather than yourself. You may even have moments where you look at other girls and wish you could be them. I just want to say–don’t let yourself fall into that trap.  God loves you so much and made you just the way you are. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to feel insecure and inadequate. It’s how he tries to defeat, discourage, distract and derail us from the amazing plans God has for us. But here’s what I want you to know: you are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). You can be confident because He lives within you and empowers you (Philippians 3:20). And my favorite thing of all, you are a daughter of the King! And let me just say, when we choose not to accept who God has created us to be and instead choose to focus on what we feel doesn’t measure up, we are insulting our Creator. Sweet girl, He uniquely made you and me and created us exactly the way we are for a distinct purpose that He planned before the beginning of time. So you go, be yourself because everyone else is taken already! And I love how St. Catherine of Siena put it:

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

When I was in graduate school, I was given this handout, and it has encouraged me so many times. It’s one that I want to leave with you and I hope you will read it often, lovey, for it paints a beautiful picture of just how special you are to God and to me:

You’re Special

In all the world there is nobody like you. Since the beginning of time,

there has never been another person like you. Nobody has your smile. Nobody has your eyes,

your, hair, your hands, or your voice.

You’re special.

No other thinks just like you do. In all of time, there has been no one who laughs like you,

no one cries like you and what make you laugh and cry

will never provoke identical laughter and tears from anybody else, ever.

You are the only one in God’s creation with your set of natural abilities.

There will always be somebody who is better at one of the things you are good at,

but no one in the universe can reach the quality of your combination of talents, ideas,

natural abilities, and spiritual abilities.

Like a room full of instruments, some may excel alone, but none can match the

symphony sound of the Body of Christ when all are played together because God set the

members, every one of them in the Body, as it hath pleased Him. Through all of eternity,

no one will ever walk, talk, look, think, or do exactly like you. You’re special.

You’re rare. And as in all rarity, there is great value. Because of your great rare value,

you need not attempt to imitate others. You should accept, yes, celebrate your differences.

You’re special.

Continue to realize that it’s not an accident that you’re special. Continue to see

that God created you special for a very special purpose. He called you out and ordained you

to a calling that is His special plan for your life. Out of all the billions of applicants,

only one is qualified. Only one has the combination of what it takes. Just as surely as

every snowflake that falls has a perfect design and no two designs are the same,

so it is within the body of Christ also. No two believers are the same, and without each member the

Body would be lacking and God’s plan would be incomplete. Ask the Father to teach you His divine

plan for your life and that it may stand forth revealed to you as it should unfolding in perfect

sequence and perfect order in such a way as to bring the greatest glory to His name.

You’re special.

~Author Unknown

Love You Forever,

Mom