Of Stars and Dots

"Some Wemmicks had stars all over them! Every time they got a star it made them feel so good that they did something else and got another star. Others, though, could do little. They got dots."

Max Lucado, You Are Special

When I was younger, my parents used to read my siblings and I a book by Max Lucado called You Are Special. This book is about Wemmick's (small wooden people) that are all carved by the woodworker named Eli. The little Wemmick people run around all day giving out stars and dots. As the quote above implies, stars are for Wemmicks of great talent and those who can do lots- stars make Wemmicks feel special. 

But there were some Wemmicks that were perceived as possessing no talent or distinguishing features, those Wemmicks received dots, Punchinello was one of them. Punchinello tried so hard to be like the Wemmicks with lots of stars, but every time he tried, he failed, and he would get even more dots.

One day, Punchinello saw a girl with NO dots or stars! He wanted to be like her, and asked her how she didn't have any stars or dots! The girl told him that she went and sat with their creator, Eli, each day. Punchinello wanted his dots to go away, but he didn't think his creator would want to see him. How could he? Punchinello was full of dots! His paint was starting to chip because of it. No, surely Eli would not want to see him.

Although he was hesitant, the next day, Punchinello went to see Eli. To his surprise, Eli knew his name and had been wanting Punchinello to come visit for some time! Punchinello asked Eli why the dots and stars didn't stick to the girl he had met, to which Eli replied, "Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them."

The book concludes with Punchinello walking out of Eli's house. Eli says to Punchinello, "Remember, you are special because I made you, and I don't make mistakes." And as Punchinello walks home, a dot falls off.

I love the innocent and simple methods God uses to declare his truth. God can use a children's book, and He can use YOU. Relieve yourself of the stars and dots being placed around you. Spend time with our creator, and choose to not let the dots/stars stick. Your value is not dictated by the world around you and their opinions, it is dictated by the one whom loves and created you. And He thinks you are pretty fantastic just the way you are:)

"And remember, you are special because [God] made you, and [He] doesn't make mistakes."

You are loved. You have a purpose. You are special. 

http://youarespecial.net