One of my sisters just wrote a blog about the difficulties inherent in hearing compliments. And it made me think of a song I wrote quite some time ago, as I was struggling with one of the ingrained messages from my childhood, "What makes you think you're so special?" The implied message was "You're not special, don't think too highly of yourself." I understand why my mother wanted us to absorb this kind of humility, but I don't think it's the right tack.
Because we are special, each and every one of us. Yes, "special snowflakes", one in a million, all special in our own tiny way, but individually created by a Heavenly Father who has a unique purpose and destiny for each one of us. The Bible says of Christians that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
It's difficult for me to sing the first verse of this song. It's so deeply ingrained to say that I am nothing special. How dare I boast and proclaim that I am special? It's just not done.
But the more I have considered this, the more I felt that I wanted my own children to understand that they ARE special, without losing sight of the fact that everyone else is special too. And I want my own heart to be aware of that too, because ultimately I think that this is the message that God has given us in the Bible.
So Special
So special, I am so special, I am precious in the eyes of God.
So special, I am so special, I am precious in the eyes of God.
All of creation is waiting to see
The praise and the wonder that I'm going to be.
I was created by the Father above
To stand in his presence
And pour out his love.
So special, you are so special, you are precious in the eyes of God.
So special, you are so special, you are precious in the eyes of God.
All of creation is waiting to see
The gift and the glory that you're going to be.
A world that is hurting needs us to go share
The love of the Father
With people out there.
So special, they are so special, they are precious in the eyes of God.
So special, they are so special, they are precious in the eyes of God.
Because we are special, each and every one of us. Yes, "special snowflakes", one in a million, all special in our own tiny way, but individually created by a Heavenly Father who has a unique purpose and destiny for each one of us. The Bible says of Christians that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
It's difficult for me to sing the first verse of this song. It's so deeply ingrained to say that I am nothing special. How dare I boast and proclaim that I am special? It's just not done.
But the more I have considered this, the more I felt that I wanted my own children to understand that they ARE special, without losing sight of the fact that everyone else is special too. And I want my own heart to be aware of that too, because ultimately I think that this is the message that God has given us in the Bible.
So Special
So special, I am so special, I am precious in the eyes of God.
So special, I am so special, I am precious in the eyes of God.
All of creation is waiting to see
The praise and the wonder that I'm going to be.
I was created by the Father above
To stand in his presence
And pour out his love.
So special, you are so special, you are precious in the eyes of God.
So special, you are so special, you are precious in the eyes of God.
All of creation is waiting to see
The gift and the glory that you're going to be.
A world that is hurting needs us to go share
The love of the Father
With people out there.
So special, they are so special, they are precious in the eyes of God.
So special, they are so special, they are precious in the eyes of God.
Wow! I just love this, Becky! I feel like this could and should be in all hymnals, especially those for children, but honestly--messages for children resonate really well with me. They appeal to my inner child, and my daily need to be nurtured in my faith and intention. We are all children of God--exactly!
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