Be Uniquely You

Hey Hey Hey!!!  Rise and Shine!!!!  Rise to the occasion!  Shine on to greatness!!  God gave You a light that is unique to YOU and only YOU, and there is someone out there that needs you to let that light shine!

And that is what this blog post is about today.  

I am a transparent person, a bit of an open book.  This is almost to a fault.  So I share a lot of my struggles, past and present, in hopes that the lessons learned from them will help someone else.  So, with that being said..

Growing up and into adulthood, I struggled with identity.  I wanted to be like my friends, my cousins, my siblings.  I wanted privileges that others had that I, at the time, was not afforded.  I wanted to go where they went and do what they did.  I had the mindset that what I had was not good enough.

I tried hard to be like my friends, especially the ones that everyone liked.  The beautiful and popular ones.  This was because I didn't realize the precious jewel that I had within MYSELF, the jewel that He placed in me.  I never thought I was good enough. I never thought people would like who I was, but I desperately needed their validation.

Then Christ took me on a journey.

As I began to study Psalm 139, I learned how precious I was to God.  How He took the time to knit me in my mother's womb.  That in itself makes me special.  Not more special than anyone else...just special. 

I learned that He knew all of my words before they were formed on my tongue.  I learned that there is no where that I can go that He will not be.

I learned that my frame was not hidden from him.  My body. He shaped it.  My eyes, the way I talk, my teeth, the way I walk, my hair... He created it all.

I learned that His thoughts toward me are AMAZING, and I couldn't number them if I tried.

I learned that His works are wonderful... and that includes me.

Through studying this Psalm, I learned that God took his time and carefully fashioned me.  He created me to be exactly how He wanted me to be.  And I am fine just the way that I am.

He did not create clones of Himself or others.  Although we are made in His image, He created unique beings that, together, form one great body.  

I don't have to parent like my friends that I admire.  God put something in ME that is unique to what my children need.

I don't have to speak or act like my friends that I admire in hopes that others will like me.  He gave me my own special sauce and flavor that only I can add to the mix.  Validation from others is no longer needed or relevant.

I don't have to look like the next woman, look how she looks in a bathing suit, or wear my hair the way she does to make me beautiful.  I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.  I have a certain finesse, style, and class that He gave only to me.  That makes me beautiful.  And I love it.

He gave each of us specific strengths, gifts, and talents that are unique to share with the others.

He put a special Light in you, that will ultimately draw others to HIM.

So I challenge you today, my dear sister!  Embrace your uniqueness!  Allow God to cultivate it!

Cherish yourself as much as He cherishes you!

Embrace what He has put in you!  You strengths, weaknesses, talents, flaws, charisma, and quirkiness.  Embrace it all!  It all makes you beautiful. 

Be your own kind of Beautiful!  Own the finesse, style, and class that He gave YOU!

And the things about you that you know are not of God, submit it to Him to place on the Potter's Wheel.  He makes all things new. You don't have to try to do that in your own strength.

Rise and SHINE!!!  You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden!  God did not give you that light to be put under a bushel, but on a candlestick to give light to others! (Matthew 5:14-16).