You’re not a mistake.

The apples we place in our grocery carts are all perfectly round. Each red rose in the bouquet from our local florist is the same size and the same shade as her companions. When we don’t spend much time in uncultivated nature, we sometimes end up thinking that plants always look so similar to each other.

But then, Nature stuns us with her variety. Crooked purple carrots push up through the soil, knobbly yellow apples fall from the trees, and asymmetrical roses blossom.

This one probably won’t end up at your florist’s shop. But are her differences a flaw–or part of her unique beauty?

If you’re anything like me, maybe you’ve caught yourself in this kind of thinking pattern: “I wish I had her looks. I wish I had as many degrees as him. I wish I had their kind of marriage. I wish…”

“God, why did You make me like this? God, why did You put me on this path, and not that one?”

It is OK–more than OK– to grieve if your life doesn’t look the way you wished it did. Let’s also remember, though, that we’re the children of an infinitely creative God, and His glory manifests itself in an infinite number of ways. Is it possible that your unique self and unique plan is a blessing to be embraced, not a flaw to be fixed?

We all have to grow in sanctity. But sanctification means God pruning us and nourishing our soil–not replacing us with a “different plant”.

God didn’t have to create you. So if you exist, in all your unique glory, it’s because He wants you to be here.

This short reflection was written for my friend Magda’s blog/ministry, Girlfriend Restored. Check out her reflections and resources for those affected by betrayal trauma at girlfriendrestored.com