One of the quickest ways to lose our joy is to compare ourselves to others. Have you ever felt you’re not measuring up because you don’t do what someone else does? Your friends post on social media their beautiful spotless house, their homemade perfectly decorated birthday cake for their child or the gorgeous costumes they sewed for the school play. We don’t all have the same gifts.

One of my coworkers is older and has worked in our building for many years. He knows everything about the building and how to run every piece of equipment. He is an extremely valuable employee because of his knowledge and experience. He spends a lot of his time training the younger employees. Instead of taking pride in his abilities, I often hear him lamenting that he’s not as fast or as sharp as the younger employees, not realizing his value. Looking at his contributions, I’m amazed he feels that way.          

Is that how God hears us?

I wonder how often God listens to our comparisons and is equally amazed. He’s given us all different gifts. We’re not all meant to do the same things. 1 Corinthians 12 is a wonderful study in this. God tells us the hands were meant for one thing, the feet another, and the eyes and ears for another. We are all parts of the body of Christ, but we shouldn’t be expected to function the same way. The Lord has gifted me with the ability to write, but I certainly couldn’t illustrate my books. Artistic talent is a different gift.

My latest novel, Sunflowers and Suspicions, follows the tale of twin sisters when one of them goes missing. As identical twins, the sisters are often compared to one another, but they are very different people. Instead of rejoicing in their differences, they often feel envious of each other. As they learn and grow closer to God, however, they eventually see God created them to be different.

How about you?

The next time you feel as though you don’t measure up, ask God to reveal your gifts to you. Then use them for his glory! It’s a sure way to restore your joy!

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:4-8 NIV

---

Sunflowers and Suspicion

A Deception Revealed …

When Julie Wagner’s identical twin Jade goes missing, Julie travels to New York pretending to be her sister so she can discover the truth. There, she meets the only person who has ever been able to tell them apart. Together, can she and her sister’s neighbor unravel a shady restaurant owner’s mysteries and find Jade?

A Fractured Family Healed …

Matt Callahan has lived across the hall from Jade Wagner for a year but never understood the pain behind her eyes. When her sister appears in his apartment building, he is amazed at the differences he sees in the twins. As he helps Julie find her twin, he discovers she just might be the answer to helping his own fractured family.

*Sunflowers and Suspicions is the third book of the Pine Springs Series, but all the books can be read as standalone novels. To find out more, check out the links below.

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Pelican, Kobo

---

Karen Malley lives in Southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. She works full-time as a scientist but enjoys writing in her spare time. When not writing (with her left hand), she enjoys camping, hiking, playing board games, and especially reading! She loves reading faith-based stories because we can all use a happy ending.

Karen loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her on her website: www.KarenMalley.com. If you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll receive a free short story in your mailbox each week.