This is a true story about a boy who, the
world might say, was a terrible
underachiever. While in the eighth grade,
he failed subjects repeatedly. High school
wasn't much better; he flunked Latin,
algebra, English, and received a grade of
zero in physics. The boy managed to make
the school golf team, but he lost the most
important golf match of the season, and
even though there was a consolation
match, he failed miserably in that too.
It's not that his peers disliked this boy; it's
just that they never really seemed to
notice him much. Even "Hellos" in the hall
were a rarity. Out of all the failures in his
life, there was something that did hold
great importance to this boy, his love of
drawing. Although in high school, the
cartoons he submitted to the yearbook
were rejected, once out of school, the boy
was so sure of his artistic talent that he
approached Walt Disney Studios with
drawing samples. I wish I could say the
studio execs loved his work and
immediately hired him, but such was not
the case; another huge rejection.
Despite his many lack of successes, this
boy did not give up. He then decided to
write his own autobiography in cartoons,
about a little boy who was regarded as a
loser and a nobody.
The name of this boy was Charles Schulz,
the creator of the famous Charlie Brown
and Peanuts comic strip.
In life, it is sometimes easy to feel like a
nobody. We pass hundreds of people on
the street on our way to work, or walk
through a faceless crowd in a mall, and no
one seems to notice or care. Deep inside,
we may know we are special and unique
and have lots to offer, but unless someone
takes the time to look our way and give us
a chance, we may feel worthless and
mediocre, just like Charlie Brown who
couldn't even manage to fly a kite or kick
a football properly.
Just as Charles Schulz had faith in his
artistic talent, so too, must we realize that
nobody is a nobody...especially in God's
eyes. We all have special gifts and talents,
and every human being is deserving and
capable of being loved and appreciated.
Today, I invite you to look deep within
yourself, and rather than see what you can
do to improve yourself, as all the many
self-help books suggest, find what you
already "like" about yourself!
Do you have an awesome laugh or smile?
Are you thoughtful and sensitive to the
needs of others? Are you down-to-earth
and practical? Do you enjoy your ability to
dream and hope? Our heavenly Father
does not see with external eyes, but sees
to the very core of our foundation. There
is nothing we can hide from Him, and He
alone, knows our motives and most secret
desires. Learn to love yourself the way our
Creator does, and learn to reach out to
others the same way God is awaiting you
with open arms.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not
consider his appearance or his height, for
I have rejected him. The Lord does not
look at the things people look at. People
look at the outward appearance, but the
Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Melanie Schurr