Not too long ago, I was shopping for a shawl.

The highly convenient thing about shawl-shopping is that finding one to fit is pretty easy. Most shawls are “one size fits all”.

For this reason, shawls can make a terrific gift idea (especially when you don’t know the exact size of the person you’re buying for).

While the one-size-fits-all approach can work for clothing, it doesn’t work well when doing life with other people.

Having raised four humans now, I can look back and see how often I tried the one-size-fits-all approach in my parenting.

So many times I tried to fit my children into my size.

I wanted them to like what I liked, have the same aspirations and dreams that I did, be socially outgoing like I was, and not struggle with sins or weaknesses that weren’t necessarily what I wrestled with.

While I prayed that the Holy Spirit would fashion them to look like Jesus, I unwittingly made myself – my characteristics, passions, giftedness, and goals – the example I expected them to emulate.

For my divinely-made, very individually-sized children, this unspoken standard was impossible to achieve.

Unlike me and my flawed understanding, God, in His wisdom and grace, knew that the one-size-fits-all method would not be the best way to love and grow His children.

Psalm 139 provides us with some clear imagery of just how intimately and purposely God has been interacting with us from before our births.

“It was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb…all of my days were planned before a single one began…how precious are Your thoughts to me.” (vs. 13, 16, & 17)

God created us uniquely. He specifically fashioned our days. One special person at a time. No duplicates – in personality, giftedness, or the trajectory of one’s life journey.

And, as a good Father, He parents us uniquely.

He speaks to us in different ways; He uses different means to teach us; He draws us to Himself using our diverse experiences and interests; He comforts us through our pain and heartbreak using a myriad of ways to minister care and compassion.

As a result, our walk with God and growth as His disciple is going to (and should) look very different than those around us.

We are all God’s original designs in a wide array of styles, sizes, and colors! How beautiful is that?

To quote Dr. Seuss, “You are you. Now, isn’t that pleasant?”

Until next time, Grace and Glory!