I
am Special Because…
By Jen Wollner
“You are the one who
put me together inside my mother’s body…Even before I was born, you had written
in your book everything I would do.”
Psalm
139:13, 16b (CEV)
My
daughter’s 1st grade class worked together to create a book titled
“I am Special.” Each child completed the
sentence, “My name is ____ and I am special because…” I was fascinated by their
answers as they gave me a glimpse into each child’s precious 6-year-old heart.
And each illustration was especially entertaining!
As
I read through the book with my daughter, I noticed a trend. More than half of the students said they were
special because of their family. They wrote, “I am special because my mom loves
me,” or “I am special because I have a brother.” The rest of the children identified their
uniqueness by something they could do. For
instance, “I am special because I’m a good baseball player,” or “I am special
because I like to draw.”
Isn’t
it interesting that even at a very young age, we judge our worth and identity
by where we came from and what we can achieve? I believe this is so because of
the way God made us. He designed us to find our identity in Him as our Creator
and Heavenly Father (family). And, find our value in the ways in which He works
in our lives through the gifts and talents He gave us (achievement).
Unfortunately,
we tend to focus on our earthly circumstances and define ourselves by those things
instead. We feel good about ourselves because of healthy families, a successful
job or stable finances. Or the opposite… a negative self-worth because of a
dysfunctional family, unemployment or our “gifting” isn’t like someone else’s.
Our emotions and perceptions are often what drive the way we define our
identity. Sadly, those things often can - - and do - - change in an instant!
The
good news is that’s not the way God intended for us to see ourselves. He created us to have a deep, intimate relationship
with Him so we would know Him and His unconditional love for us. We have value
simply because He made us and loves us! He also created us to fulfill purposes
in this life that He has planned for us and equipped us for since before we
were born. In those things, we find achievement and success for His Glory.
May
we be thankful for family and achievement yet remember our worth and identity
is truly in Him. “My name is Jen Wollner and I am special because…the Lord
loves me and has good plans for my life!”
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
How would you finish this sentence, “My name is ____ and I am special
because…”?
2.
What defines your identity?
FURTHER
READING:
Jen
and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves on the leadership team for
Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
