Don’t Miss the Beauty and Value of “Different"

If I’m not careful, I miss the beauty and value of different approaches, perspectives, and methods. I forget that behind the differences that separate us is God’s creative hand making each person unique for his glory and our good.

God reminded me of this truth through an unlikely patch of dirt in my yard, a spot I refer to as

The Desert. An unfortunate corner on the eastern side of my house, this flower bed sits under both the eaves and a section of gutter that protects my yard from too much water flowing off the roof. Trust me when I say that no rain falls on this patch of earth.

To add to the barrenness of this cubic yard of dirt, my neighbors tell me the previous owner’s basset hound used to nap there. Regularly. Not surprisingly, everything I’ve planted in this spot dies, usually a slow, painful death.

In the first year of our home ownership, I planted one of my favorite summer annuals, hot pink, striped petunias. In less than two weeks, despite conscientious hand-watering, they became crunchier than potato chips.

Then I tried my second-favorite summer flower, impatiens. After three weeks, all that was left were crispy brown clumps that looked more like fire starters than landscaping plants.

Something Different

One day a friend visited from Colorado. “I brought some cactus plants from my yard. Would you like them? I’d be glad to plant them if you’ll tell me where.”

“Sure,” I said doubtfully, “Put them in The Desert.”

Since I’d given up on that corner of my landscape, I hadn’t given the cactus sprigs much thought until recently, when I happened to glance that way. Imagine my delight when I discovered that not only were the cactus plants still alive, they were flush with new growth.

What was a dying wasteland to some plants was a glorious sahara to others. Instead of wasting away from lack of water like the tender petunias, the cactus grew tougher and more resistant. Instead of withering in the intense eastern sunlight like the impatiens, the sunnier it got, the more they thrived. At long last, The Desert was no longer barren.

I Learned a Lesson

I learned a lesson from that challenging patch of earth. Instead of accepting that spot for what it was, I tried to make it something it was never meant be. Not only that, I forced my preferences upon it, ignoring (and despising) its unique nature.

I do this with people sometimes, too. I get impatient with those who don’t act, think, or move as fast as I do. I struggle with people who approach decision-making differently than I. And I can’t imagine why everyone doesn’t see life through my perspective.

What about you? Do you struggle with realizing that different isn’t wrong, just different? Why not join me today in celebrating the marvelous diversity God has placed in our world? Look long and hard at the person in your life whose differences most challenge you. Instead of complaining, ask God to show you the positive side of their differing qualities.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Your Turn

Now it’s your turn. When have you discovered that what you saw as a negative quality actually turned out to be a positive one? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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