The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Know a wonderful future is ahead
Years ago, author Max Lucado published a book entitled, “You Are Special.”
It tells the story of Eli, who is a master woodcarver, and the land of wooden people that he constructed called Wemmicks.
The Wemmicks spent their days placing stickers on one another as a way of expressing how they felt. Those who were appreciated and had certain skills or attributes received yellow “stars.” But those who were not appreciated and, perhaps, were different, would get gray “dots” stuck on them.
Yet, one wooden boy, Punchinello, never got any stars. He tried to gain others’ approval. However, he kept missing out, as all he received were gray dots. And he had quite a number of them stuck on him. Looked down upon by others, Punchinello felt as though he were utterly worthless. After a while, he wore the gray stickers as though they were the truth and started to believe he was insignificant and of no value. Then, he became reclusive, living defeated, inferior, with no enthusiasm for life.
Maybe for years, you have felt ignored, undervalued and underappreciated. Have you allowed someone’s negative opinions or derogatory comments toward you to keep you down and discouraged?
Though, one afternoon, Punchinello met a wooden girl named Lucia. She had no stickers on her at all. And when people attempted to put stars or gray dots on her, they didn’t stick. Lucia had absolutely no marks. Curiously, Punchinello questioned, “Why don’t the gray dots stick to you?”
Lucia joyfully explained how she visited Eli every day. He was the master woodcarver who created them. Next, Lucia smiled broadly and suggested that Punchinello should visit Eli, as well. “Then nothing will stick to you either,” she said, cheerfully.
Punchinello took Lucia’s advice. At first, he was afraid. Yet, Punchinello found the courage within himself to go to see Eli. Finally, in Eli’s workshop, together, they sat comfortably and talked with one another.
As they were conversing, Eli looked affectionately at Punchinello and uttered, “You are special to me.” There was complete silence for a moment. Punchinello leaned closer to Eli. He couldn’t believe what he had heard. And then with immediacy, Punchinello began pointing out to Eli his so-called flaws, mistakes and weaknesses.
Shaking his head, “No,” Eli told Punchinello that he was “indeed special,” and “he mattered greatly” to him. “I created you,” Eli said in a whisper, “and I didn’t make a mistake in my design.”
It was a turning point in Punchinello’s life. Hearing that “he was special” from Eli, his creator, made him forget all about his feelings of worthlessness. “The stickers only stick if you let them,” Eli encouraged.
Punchinello left Eli that day with a new understanding. For Punchinello learned that you shouldn’t automatically accept other people’s unfavorable words and adverse assessments as facts. Then, miraculously, something happened. One of Punchinello’s gray dots slid off him and it landed on the ground.
Daily, Punchinello visited Eli. Each time, Eli reminded Punchinello how much he cared. Eli spoke love, hope and encouragement to him. And Punchinello felt renewed. He began to regain confidence in himself and in his future. And one by one, all of Punchinello’s stickers fell off.
You could be in a situation right now that has caused you to devalue yourself. Yet, you belong to God. He loves you with an everlasting love, (Jeremiah 31:3) and thinks, “You are special … just the way you are.”
In the entire world, there has never been another person like you. Created in “God’s own image” (Genesis 1:27), you are rare, precious, and “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). So, never underrate your great worth. Or count yourself out. For, you’re “God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10), “His treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 14:2).
Remember, God’s plan for you is a plan for victory, so put your faith and trust in Him. No matter what has happened in the past or despite any shortcomings that you may think you have, God values and approves you. And He has put within your heart all that you need to lead a joyful, meaningful and successful life. In the Bible, it tells how God chose David, a faithful shepherd boy to become the leader of His people. God could have chosen someone more important, more educated, or with a better background. David was the most unlikely choice. But, God looks at the heart. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at… the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Today, let the negative words that people have spoken about you go in one ear and out the other. Don’t allow anyone to lessen your importance. And make the decision to not listen to the unconstructive, “I’m not good enough” voices that sometimes crowd your own mind. Brush off the stickers of fears, regrets and guilt, and let those negative labels slip right off of you. Then, rise up and move forward.
Your life is full of possibilities. You have so much to offer, with a wealth of experiences to positively influence others in extraordinary new ways. You’re one-of-a-kind, and you are worthy of success and happiness. So, think bigger, be bolder and pursue the impossible. Be free to dream again. And not just dream; God wants you to see your dreams come true. For the stickers that God places on you say, “You’re blessed,” “You are strong,” “You’re gifted,” “You are forgiven,’ “You’re going to do great things,” “Your time of success is coming,” and “Your future is bright.”
So wake up each morning and visualize yourself, “Vibrant,” “healthy,” “capable,” “prevailing over challenges,” and “achieving your goals.” See yourself through God’s eyes. Be proud of yourself. Have confidence in the incredible, talented, and giving person that God created.
Regardless of what you face today, know that there is a wonderful future ahead. There is a joyful, miraculous life in front of you. God is positioning you for new and amazing blessings. And nothing that anyone says against you will stick.