One of the ways we are counting down the days until Christmas, is with a book reading each night. Tonight was Alayna’s turn to choose a book that was wrapped under the tree. She picked one of my favorite books, “You Are Special” by Max Lucado.

This books gives a beautiful parallel story of how God views us. It begins with a village of wooden people called, the Wemmicks. All of the wooden people were carved by a woodworker name, Eli. The Wemmicks would give out stickers all day to one another, to the talented ones they would give stars and to the not so talented ones they would give gray dots. All day long they would walk around handing out these stars and dots. In this same village lives a Wemmick named, Punchinello, he doesn’t jump very high like the others, his wood is scratched and faded, so he would get lots of gray dots from all the other Wemmicks. He got so many that he doesn’t want to leave his house. Then one day he meets a Wemmick with no stickers at, Lucia. Lucia explains that she goes to see Eli, the woodcarver, everyday. She recommends Punchinello to go see him, so  Punchinello goes the next day. This is where I choke up every time. As Eli and Punchinello begin their conversation, Punchinello starts defending himself. When Eli says, “you don’t have to defend yourself to me, child. I don’t care what the other Wemmicks think. Who are they to give stars or dots? They’re Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn’t matter. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special.” Eli continues to speak to him, but I want  you to get the book and read the rest for yourself.

Lucia didn’t have any stickers because she went to visit Eli everyday. There are voices in your mind telling you, “you can’t do that, you don’t fit in here, and you will never make it.” The only way to drown out those opinions is to spend time with the only voice that matters, the only opinion that matters, your Maker.

Let me encourage you today, don’t let the world label you. Don’t let your friend or even your family discourage you. They don’t have the right to do so. They are just like you. Go to your Heavenly Father daily and allow him to speak into your heart. He loves you, He made you special, and you are valuable!