Have you ever stopped to think about that?

You.

Are.

An.

Original.

There is only one of you. You are uniquely made.

You might have children and siblings who are similar in some ways but let’s just face it — each of us is indeed an original.

I was struck by the sermon this week when the Prayer of Invocation spoke about living the life of the Spirit. When we live the life of the spirit including the fruits of the Spirit –  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – we tend to want to compare ourselves with one another. And yet – that is not what we are supposed to do. As “originals’ we are to treat one another as equals with no one being better than the other.

I clearly remember when I was a child and even into my teenage years I felt that I fell short of every expectation there was. I compared myself to my older siblings and was anxious that I could not do all that they could do. I felt like I was less than despite my parents loving me completely and encouraging me to do my best. My best was not what I viewed as enough. Looking back I realize how wrong I was. Honestly, how could I do the same things as my older siblings ? I couldn’t. It was just those anxious insecurities that tried to invade my mind.

I remember my mom patiently telling me, probably more times than she could count, that I was perfect just as I was. I did not need to be my sister or my brother. I did not need to be anything other than who I was because I was indeed unique and yes – an original.

So when I heard that term in church this week it took me back to thinking about how each of us truly is an original. I have been blessed with the gift of friendship and have a great circle of friends both near and far. When I think about all of those friends none of them are alike. Each are originals. How wonderful is that?

So today – embrace being an original. You are one of a kind and I think you are pretty special.