Something's Different About You

 Have you ever had anyone say that to you before? I know I have! I got it a lot when I was younger, but I still get it a lot as I've gotten older. I especially get it now because of my glasses 😊. When I was younger, I used to think it was a bad thing. If you remember from a previous blog post, I talked about not wanting to stand out when I was younger and feeling weird and embarrassed when it happened. Now that I've gotten older though, I don't see it as a bad thing. I now have a different perspective. I now see that different can be good. After all, God made me like no one else and I am unique 💜.  I wasn't called to blend in, but I was called to stand out. As I said in a previous blog post, I have to dare to be different (go check it out if you haven't!). Today, I want to take time to share four ways about why something's different about you and me. May you be encouraged to know that different is okay.

1. You are the salt (Matthew 5:13)- When salt is added to food, it adds flavor and taste. Salt can also preserve food for a period of time. We notice when salt is and is not on food. We can also usually tell if there's not enough, just right, or too much. Too much salt is not good for any of us, so it does need to be used in moderation. In being salt, there should be something different that others notice about us. It could be how we talk (Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 16:21, Proverbs 18:21), how we listen and respond (Proverbs 4:20-21), how we dress, how we approach people and circumstances, or how we enter a room. I saw a quote just the other day that said, "Enter the room as yourself." Yes! Salt doesn't compromise 👏! When it's on your food, you know it. As believers, we have to live for God and live out His Word with no compromise. When we do, we season and add flavor everywhere we go 😊!

2. You are the light (Matthew 5:14-16). A light allows us to see. A light (like a flashlight) will guide us to where we need to go. Where are you leading people to? Your life and my life is speaking and someone's watching. When we're different, we encourage people to see differently 💜. It's not that you don't acknowledge the bad or tough seasons (I've had my share of them!) because you need to share aloud with others as God leads and talk to God. When sharing with others, make sure they can be trusted. You also realize that there's more going on than what we can physically see. As believers, we know that what we see is not necessarily the end of the story😊. What I see doesn't have to discourage me and keep me from living my best life. When we're different, we are guided by God's Word, not what social media or the world says we should do. As long as our choices please God, that's what matters. Our shine as believers is not about being selfish, but about being our best selves and staying on God's path. 

3. You are royalty (I Peter 2:9). Our God reigns and rules over all the Earth. As God's children, we are precious and carry ourselves in a way that we know God's got us 😊. We should be confident, not conceited and think we're better. Yes, we are different, but no one is better than anyone else. God loves all His children equally 💚! We should want nice things and treat ourselves from time to time. Get dressed up- it doesn't have to be a special occasion. It could be going to the mall, out to eat, the movies, a doctor's appointment. It doesn't have to be a 2 piece suit or formal gown, but we don't always have to be in our t-shirt and sweats all the time. I'm learning to love my dresses! I enjoy wearing dresses now more than when I was younger. Especially with the summer season, I have been wearing my sundresses 😊. We can hold our head up high because we know our God has us. We are special and not to be played with. So if you walk with a bounce, that's alright. If you want to give your royal wave, go right ahead 😉. 

4. You are a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). A masterpiece is defined as a work of outstanding artistry, skill , or workmanship. That's us! Our God is a wonderful Creator! We don't have to look far to see all His beautiful creation in nature. We're different because we're created like no other. God took His time when He crafted us and that's good news 💗! It's okay to have the likes, dislikes, and personality we have. We can know who we are in God and embrace that with confidence. We have been created to do good works. You see, God has great plans for our life (Jeremiah 29:11, I Corinthians 2:9). In fact, He's already planned out our whole life (Psalm 139:16). It's our job to live out each day the best we can. We can be the best version of ourselves.  So the next time someone says, "Something's different about you," you can say, "Yes, there is" with a smile or nod with a smile. We can embrace our unique and amazing self all while we keep shining and growing 💫. Keep daring to be different 😊!!