Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Giftwrapped People

Don't you love a beautifully wrapped gift? The colored paper, the multi-looped bow with curly tendrils cascading over the side all seem to say "open me, first!" What about a gift wrapped in plain brown paper with a homemade bow? Let me ask you this...is the gift any better in the fancy wrap or any less in the plain wrap? I know you are probably thinking what matters most is what's inside and the meaning that is behind it. 

People are a lot like this. Some may be fancy, some may be plain. Some may be sparkly, some may seem dull. Some might dress fancy to be better accepted. Some might dress plainly so as not to be noticed. Some may even dress in a seemingly attention-getting way, but it may be more about the attention on the wrapping and less about the attention on them.

Too often we judge someone by their "giftwrapping" and don't take the time to get to know them. When we judge someone by what we see or by our rules and feelings, etc., we miss out on the treasure they really are. Each person is unique with their own "amazingness" built in. Each and every person is a gift. People are put in our pathways for a specific purpose and reason. It is our job to learn more about their gift. 

What happens, though, when we judge our own giftwrapping and think "I'm not good/pretty/handsome enough" or "I'm no fun, I'm boring"? Maybe we need to take time to look beyond our "giftwrapping" and see the gift we really are. Each of us was created with our own gifts, talents, and "amazingness." 

Always remember, whether it's about others or about ourselves, it's not about the giftwrapping, it's what's inside that counts.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

The Perfect Puzzle Piece

Do you ever feel like you don't fit in? Like a puzzle piece that doesn't fit no matter which way you turn it? Even if you could force it to fit, you know it wouldn't fit the picture. 

Well, there's a reason why it doesn't fit. You may be trying to fit your puzzle piece into the wrong picture. God created you to be unique, special, gifted with your own talents, your own ways, your own smile. You are exactly perfect for the picture of your life he is creating. Even though you may only see small sections of the picture, trust that each piece is carefully planned, carefully placed.

Sometimes we look at another's life picture and wish ours could be just like it. They seem to have a perfect house, a perfect job, and a fun group of friends. The thing is you can't see the work behind the picture, and all it took to build it. What might work for their picture may not be right for yours.

Your puzzle picture is a masterpiece in progress. Get excited about it coming together. Live in full color! Take time to admire the picture as it builds. Don't be a missing piece in your own picture. You are the perfect puzzle piece for your masterpiece!