Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ
1 Corinthians 11:1
Comparing Dancers
I got into the habit of comparing myself to others when I was in high school. At my dance studio, I would compare myself to other dancers during almost every class. Instead of taking class to improve in my own technique and artistry, I tried in vain to dance like another girl. Of course, this would never work, and I would feel disappointed in myself for not looking like, dancing like, or being like another dancer.
I know now that it broke my Heavenly Father’s heart when I did this.
Learning from Flowers and St. Thérèse
Although I still fall into this bad habit from time to time, I don’t compare myself to others as often as I used to. Because of that, I’m a happier person, and I have a healthier relationship with God because now I love how he made me. I like to use this analogy when I think about comparing myself to others:
A lily and a daisy are blooming in the same garden. The daisy tells the lily “I love your petals!” The lily graciously thanks the daisy for her compliment. ” I wish my petals were as beautiful as yours,” the daisy says with a sigh. “We’re different flowers, Daisy!” says the lily, “We’re not supposed to look like each other because our differences make us beautiful and special!”
According to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “The splendor of the rose and whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”
The little flower knew that she was unique. As much as she wanted to do great things and be a missionary, she recognized that she could do little things with great love. She knew that God created us beautifully in different ways, he has different but good plans for each of us. We can be a Saint no matter where or who we are simply because our Heavenly Father wants us to be a Saint. I love to look to St. Thérèse and remember that I’m the Lord’s beloved exactly as I am.
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Understanding Your Individual Beauty and Worth
God didn’t create you or me to be a carbon copy of everyone else. He purposefully made each of his children different because they each have a unique and important role to play in his plan. I’ll never be like the girls that I compared myself to because God has plans for them that only they can fulfill. Furthermore, no one else will ever be like me because God intended for only one of me to exist. After realizing this, I began to see my individual beauty and worth as a daughter of God.
Instead of comparing yourself to someone else, try to see yourself the way that the Lord sees you. Begin to understand that you have a purpose that no one else can fulfill, and thank God for making you and loving you as one of his beloved children.
In fact, there is only one person who we should strive to imitate, and that is Jesus Christ.
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