My dad and I went to church this evening as he and my mom have an event tomorrow. Unfortunately, my mom was feeling pretty dizzy today, so she did not come. We are hoping that she feels better tomorrow. One of the scriptures in church was Mark 9:30-37. In this reading, Jesus’ disciples argue about who is the best one of them. But once Jesus asks what they are talking about, they become silent. Of course, He already knows what they are talking about. As I thought about this, I wondered why we are like this. Why do we find our self worth in comparing ourselves to others? Why is it so important to us to be “better” than our brothers and sisters? And if we must make ourselves more superior, we are in fact making others inferior. I have been on both ends of this conflict. For much of my life I was the brunt of jokes and put downs, as I was a sickly kid. I knew how it felt to have very low self esteem, almost to the point of feeling worthless. I was always comparing myself to others and knew I could never measure up. But, as I got older, I realized I could do the same thing. I found myself putting down others – as least I am not like that person . . . As I got closer to God, I began to understand that each one of us is a magnificent creation from God. We each have our own gifts, talents, and flaws. And none of that makes us better or worse than one another. Jesus calls out his friends by telling them that if they want to be first, they need to be servants of others. So, instead of making others do what I want and be who I want them to be, I need to accept each person for who they are. I do not become a doormat and let people step all over me, but I can put others’ needs before my own.

I Found God today in a humble reminder that we are all equal in God’s eyes as His own Creation.