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 executives 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 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, 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
waiting you with open arms.

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