No comparison!

I have been really struggling this summer with comparing myself to other people.  I thought I had left that behind me; maybe outgrown it.  Apparently, I haven't.  I often hear myself say things like..."I'm too short.  I'm too fat.  I'm too slow.  I am so uncoordinated!  I talk too much.  I'm too loud.  I put my heart out there too much.  I am not a good wife/mom/friend.  I am not a good writer.  I am not talented enough.  I'll never be a teacher like...."  (I work with a building full of amazing teachers!)  You get the picture.  In my mind, nothing I am or do is ever going to be good enough. 

The truth is that I am fearfully and wonderfully and UNIQUELY made by God.  (Psalm 139)  He made this person known as Dawn Marie Karr.  He carefully chose which genes I got from each of my parents...it certainly was NOT random chance!  He gave me my physical characteristics and my personality.  He gave me an enthusiastic and passionate spirit that loves deeply (and gets hurt easily), puts people and relationships first always, worships and sings with everything in me, and teaches with my heart.  I am loyal, committed, fiercely protective, and an over-the-top caretaker.  I am always thinking, analyzing, and looking for ways to make things better.  I am a problem-solver.  I am an extrovert who is always looking inward and assessing my own state of being. 

God made me the person that I am...does that mean there is no opportunity for growth and change?  May it never be!  Our physical appearance does not even stay the same from the time we enter this world until the time we leave it...we are always changing.  God made us with a free will that grows and changes with our physical bodies.  It is God's job and NOT mine to speak to my heart about what needs to change in me.  I am His creation!  My job is to look at Him, listen to Him, and respond to Him.  If I would take my eyes off of the people I admire so much and look at my Father, He will show me who I really am!