Unique

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Quinton liked to run, but he was never as fast as his big brothers. He enjoyed painting but never did as well as his older sister, so he didn’t do it often. It seemed like everything Quinton did, they could do better than him.

One day, he expressed his feelings to his grandma as he helped her unload groceries from her car.

“There are a lot of things you’re good at,” Grandma said, handing him a bag to carry inside.

Quinton sighed. “But they’re better than me.”

Grandma shook her head as she led him into the house. “Not at everything. God has given you special talents too.”

“Like what?” Quinton asked.

“You’re pretty good when we play board games,” Grandma said. “And I love to read the stories you write.”

Quinton stuck a few cans into the pantry. “I wish I could be fast like my brothers though.”

“Maybe you will be when you’re a little older,” Grandma said. “But even if you never are, that’s okay too. God gives each of us unique talents. It would be boring if we were all the same.”

Quinton thought about it. “Yeah, I guess it would be.”

“When I was young, I wanted to be an actress like my sister. She was in plays at school and I thought she was so cool. But if I had tried out for the play and made it, then I wouldn’t have done cheerleading, and that became something I loved doing that helped me make lasting friendships.” Grandma put her arm around Quinton’s shoulders. “God made us all unique and gives each of us different talents. But sometimes we get so caught up in comparing ourselves to others that we forget why God gave us our talents in the first place–so we could use them to help others see that we belong to Jesus and show them His love.” She kissed his head. “God is happy with you just the way you are, Quinton, and so am I.”

“Thanks, Grandma.” Quinton hugged her. “If you really like my stories, I can write more of them for you instead of worrying about beating my brothers in a race.”

His grandma smiled. “I do, and I would love that.”

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
What are some of your special talents? Are you thankful for the way God made you–or are you too busy comparing yourself to your siblings, friends, and everybody else? God made each of us unique so that we could reflect His goodness and love in our own special way. Instead of wishing you could be like somebody else, focus on your own talents and trust God to help you use them to point others to Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (NIV) (Isaiah 64:8)

Today’s Key Thought:
God made us all unique