Self-Esteem

Observe the people around you. For the most part everyone looks similar. They may have different color hair, eyes, or skin and be shorter, taller, or average but they are the same. Examine closer, people wear the same style clothes and hair. Whatever is popular is what people wear or do. Children like to play the same video games and have the same toys. If it’s popular to play a certain sport or musical instrument, then that's what they want to do.

When my daughter was in the 5^th grade, the school had an orchestra. We told her she could pick any instrument she wanted to learn to play. She had been taking piano lessons for a few years and could read music pretty well. All her friends picked an easier instrument, the clarinet, so that is what she chose. We tried to get her to play the flute or a stringed instrument. She became determined to play what everyone else was. All of us want to be like everyone else. It’s hard to be different. Should we be different?

Lachlan's appearance is the same as the rest of his family. He doesn’t mind that so much, but doesn’t like being different than the other animals.

Lachlan is a platypus.

The first time Lachlan came out of his burrow he was 4 months old. His little legs were wobbly. He did better in the water and became a great swimmer. Lachlan noticed how different he and his family were from all the other animals and he didn’t like it. There weren't very many in his family so he felt separated and alone.

His mom watched him walk funny one day and asked, “Lachlan, what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to walk like a dingo.”

“Silly, you’re not a dog. You’re a good looking strong platypus.”

Sadly, Lachlan slipped into the water and dove down far. Too soon he had to come up for air.

He was frustrated. He observed the dingoes running, jumping, and leaping on their long legs. They looked to be having a great time.

One day, a kangaroo hopped past right as Lachlan came out of the water. Impressed with the kangaroo and called, “Hey, can you teach me that?”

The kangaroo stopped and turned. “Teach you what?”

“I love the way you hop. Can you teach me?”

The kangaroo regarded Lachlan's short legs and webbed feet. Laughing, the kangaroo hopped off.

Tears of shame and frustration slid through his fur.

The next day, he encountered another animal he had never seen before. “Momma, what is that?”

“It’s a wombat, dear.”

Lachlan liked this animal because it had short legs like he did. He watched the  animal munching on grass. Lachlan decided to try the grass. He had trouble tearing a piece off and ended up with a huge clump into his mouth. The grass didn’t taste like anything he normally ate and got caught in his grinders. He finally swallowed the clump whole because he didn’t want to appear awkward by spitting it out. The wombat seemed to be relishing his meal. On closer inspection, Lachlan realized the wombat had sharp teeth.

“Do you only eat grass?” asked Lachlan.

“I also eat flowers and other plants. I like grass the best it’s so yummy and I don’t have to chase my food like you do.”

The wombat stuck his wide head in the air and ran into the forest.

One afternoon, his mom watched him gazing up in a tree. “Lachlan what has caught your attention?”

“Mom see that animal in the tree? He’s furry like me, but can climb a tree. I wish I could climb.”

“That my dear is a koala bear. He’s cute alright. Why do you want to climb a tree?”

“I want to be like all the other animals. I can’t run, jump, hop, climb, or eat grass. I don’t want to be different.”

“Oh, I understand. Sweetheart, you were made perfect. Come over here.”

She led him to the water’s edge and said, “Look at your reflection. You are special. You have a bill and webbed feet like a duck, a tail like a beaver, and you’re a mammal like a dingo and koala. We can lay eggs and are able to sting with venom like a snake. You swim almost as well as a fish and you sense where animals are under water with your eyes closed because of their electric current. Our home is underground like the wombat. You are all these animals all rolled into one neat package.”

Lachlan thought about what she said. With a huge smile he said, “You’re right. I can do so many things other animals cannot do and I look pretty cool too!”

Snuggling against her son she said, “You’re right. You were made the way you should be. There was no mistake. You should be proud of your differences and your sameness.

Boys and girls, God made you special the way you are. He doesn’t make junk. We all are different and the same. Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to be different --to stand out. Be a leader. The Bible says in Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…Job 10:8 and Psalm 119:73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me…

Memorize one or both of these verses: Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…Job 10:8 and Psalm 119:73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me…

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated.