Knocking down the Pedestal

My daughter recently had a day at school where a large number of students, including most of her friends, were out for a school related event. I always remember those types of days at school were my favorite. The teachers were more relaxed and those left behind could enjoy the slower pace and walk out the door with an empty backpack.When I picked her up from school that afternoon, I asked how the day went. “It started out sad, but ended happy,” was her reply. She went on to explain that her normal crew was gone, but so many people were out that by the end of the day all of the normal groupings and unspoken boundaries had disappeared. She remarked that she enjoyed hanging out with girls who normally didn’t congregate together.We would like to think that the unspoken boundaries and normal groupings disappear at the end of high school. They inflict enough frustration and hurt feelings in the first 18 years of our lives that it would be nice if that were true. Sadly, the reality is that even as adults we find ourselves subconsciously making these same divisions in our minds.“I don’t fit with those women,” or “Why am I not included in their outings?” are still thoughts that resonate through many women’s minds. I, however, would like to kick out the proverbial pedestal.This works two ways. Firstly, there is the woman that is certain that she is not “good” enough, “wealthy” enough, “cool” enough, or “educated” enough to run in certain circles. We can be our own worst enemy. This particular day, Annika remarked that one of her friends “always feels like the other girls are cooler, but I just think we happen to be different.” Could we all take a lesson from a 13 year old? We may not have had the same experiences, but NO ONE is better than you. Be confident in who you are and that God has made you with a specific mission in mind – not to be like everyone else.The other perspective is the one that comes from an individual who is grounded in her circle. There is a certain security and confidence that comes from knowing you belong somewhere. The danger, however, is that you would not help someone else feel welcome and valued. We must never think too highly of ourselves. Any success we have had has been by God’s grace. If the Lord has blessed you with close friends or success, I urge you to remember that success is the most dangerous blessing God gives. Be a good steward and use your position to extend to others the love and worth that has been extended to you.The beauty of ministry is that I have the opportunity to cross all sorts of cultural, social, economic, and educational lines. From the elite to the down and out, you can take my word for it… it all boils down to the same need for love, acceptance, and the forgiveness of the Savior.