Tip of My Iceberg

Last Christmas when our whole family was together–all 31 of us–John and I were gifted by our kids with family portraits. They turned out so much better than I’d anticipated–taking that many child portraits can be exhausting.

Eleven months later, we finally put up a collage of our grands. All seventeen of them. We evened out the setting with a picture of all the girls, all the boys, and all the couples.

I stood before that wall, taking it all in. They range in age from twenty-one down to nineteen months, and each of them are wonderfully unique. From the most outgoing to committed introverts; from the very athletic to the very creative. Their interests lie in a plethora of different areas: trucks and construction vehicles, computers, tap dancing, singing, science experiments, building machines, reptiles, insects, theater, and soccer. And so much more.

It’s easy to see them as a group, which is quite impressive.

The greater challenge is to see and enjoy each of them individually.

How easy is it for us to classify people in groups and forget that each of us is a unique and beautifully made singular entity. We place people in categories because it’s easier to deal with those who aren’t like us if we clump them together and minimize them, like a bunch of grapes. Nobody buys grapes individually–that’s too much of an effort. Someone would have to take them from their stems, and then weigh them out, one grape at a time; it’s a time-consuming task.

Dealing with individuals, really seeing them and choosing to listen to what others say, is also time-consuming and emotionally and mentally costly.

God made us individually, one person at a time, each with a unique story, profile, skill-set, and dreams.

“So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them” Genesis 1:27

We’re each made by a God who delights in the people He creates. He has made us with a purpose; our lives meant to be stewarded for the good of others, not just lived for our own ends.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Have you ever considered yourself a masterpiece? A beautiful piece of work, made with a purpose, created to be loved by God Himself, and having the chance to accomplish amazing things that will impact and influence others.

My grands grace our wall of wonder because we see the and value the worth of each of them.

God’s wall of wonder is His massive heart, where each of us has a place if we choose, where we’re seen, known, and loved more than we could possibly imagine.

Do you see your place on His wall of wonder?