Embracing my Uniqueness

Dogs descended on downtown Lakeland yesterday for the Dog Days of Summer Pooch Parade.

• Poodles.
• Miniature Dachshunds.
• Irish Wolfhounds.
• Great Danes.
• Yorkies.
• And my favorite – Basset hounds. No, I’m not partial.

I was simply amazed at the uniqueness of each dog. Even dogs of the same breed differed from one another.

• Black.
• White.
• Red-black brindle.
• Blue merle.
• Chestnut.
• And my favorite – orange and white. Again, I’m not partial.

My husband, my basset, and I snagged a bench to rest and to people-watch–one of our favorite pastimes. Yes, our dog loves it too.

As I observed owners and their dogs, I was intrigued at how freely people approached one another to love on the dogs and to start conversations with their owners. Even when we approached owners and their dogs, we marveled at the uniqueness and beauty of each pooch. Although owners were surely partial to their own dogs, they didn’t seem to let that stop them from approaching and getting to know others. They embraced their dog’s uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.

That made me wonder…

Do I accept and celebrate my uniqueness in Christ? Do I accept and celebrate the uniqueness of those around me?

For years, I hid the natural textures of my hair; I wanted straight hair–not wild curls. As I grew in my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I came to believe that He made all the delicate, inner parts of my body–including my kinky curls. He knit me together into a wonderfully complex being. I am His marvelous handiwork (Psalms 139:13-14). Yes, there have been other things I’ve wanted to change about myself, but suffice to say that God made me like no other person on this earth.

Dear one, God made you like no other person on this earth. You are wonderfully made! There may be things you want to change about yourself–such as your hair, illness or disability, the color of your skin, your size, even other parts of your body. Yes, there are things we could do to take care of God’s temple–our bodies–but God loves you and knows everything about you–down to the last detail–even the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30)! You are not humdrum. God is enthralled by your beauty (Psalm 45:11).

God is enthralled by the beauty in each of us. Marvel at His handiwork–at home, at work, at church, at the homeless shelter and the street corner. Embrace your uniqueness and the uniqueness of those around you. I’ve embraced mine.

Come alongside…What have you been trying to change about yourself? What can you do to accept and embrace your uniqueness? What can you do to interact with those who differ from you? How can you share this good news with others?