You are something Special!

It can be challenging at times to be different from everyone else.  At times we wish we could be like the popular people or be liked by everyone else.  We are each different, but despite those differences we are each unique in our own special way.  Being different is not a bad thing. It may appear bad, but can we all be 110% identical?  No.  Everyone has their differences and those differences help shape the world we live in.

 

There is a story I loved as a kid.  It is called "You are Special" by Max Lucado.  It follows a puppet named Punchinello, he lived in a community of puppets who lived together in a small town.  They were each created by a loving woodworker named Eli, who live on a hill overlooking the town.  Punchinello was a bit of an outcast.  Every puppet would give each stars or dots to judge each other.  He only was given dots, negative comments.  No matter how hard he tried he could never get just one star.  Punchinello was not talented, he couldn't talk right, and he was despised.  Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to give him a dot.  He began to believe that's all he deserved.  One day he met a puppet named Lucia who had no stickers.  the stickers wouldn't stick because the opinions of others didn't matter to her.  Her visits with Eli help boost her confidence in herself.

 

Punchinello pondered about visiting Eli.  Why would Eli care to see someone like him?  Finally he decided he should go and see him.  He was warmly welcomed by Eli.  Eli placed Punchinello on his work bench and noticed the noticed the dots that covered his body.  Punchinello explained why he had so many. Eli responded by saying that he loved him just the way he was.  He was there maker and didn't judge one because he lacked certain qualities.  He saw each puppet as a special person including Punchinello.  When Punchinello asked why Eli's replied, "Because you are mine. THAT is why you matter to me."  He even told him that the opinions of others will only stick if they matter. But if Punchinello loved Eli more than what others think, those opinions will no longer matter.  That is why Lucia had no stickers.  Eli promised him that if he would continue to visit him he will realize what he meant.  As Punchinello walked out the door he thought maybe Eli was right.  And with that thought, a dot fell to the floor.

God does not look at what others say to define you as a person. In fact only men look on the outside to see who someone is. God however looks at your heart (1 Sam. 16:7).  God knows you personally and sees you as important in a major way.  If you do not see it, you can surely know it!  We have been asked to be perfect, however we are not perfect (Matt 5:48, D&C 67:13). We are asked to constantly strive to better our lives to be in harmony with God. When we have a relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and trust in them, the opinions of others will have no importance to us.  We don't need to be in a constant struggle to be just like everybody else.  We are only asked to diligently go at our own pace (Mosiah 4:27).  Remember "slow and steady wins the race".  Even though you may be different from others, you can make a difference in the world because God knows you personally and knows what you can do.  Trusting in the creator's hand, and by praying to him, you can gain a greater relationship with him that is so strong that it won't matter what anyone else says about you.  Because you will see that you are unique; you will see that you are special!