The cows were laying in a field of small, yellow wildflowers. I thought they would make a beautiful picture. It reminded me of shots my friend Meredith Bernard takes for her blog and website. She lives on a farm and takes idyllic pictures of cows in fields with tractors harvesting. I wanted that for my blog.
It was a peaceful setting, with the cows calmly chewing grass while insects buzzed their heads. They had not a care in the world. Rolling down the window, I took a shot of what I thought would be a “cows-in-field-picture” to rival that of my friend.
Why, you may ask, would I want a picture like hers? Because I love her photography and wanted my pictures to be as just like hers. Never mind that she lives on a farm, is married to a farmer, and has a photography business! I live in a small neighborhood and rarely have anything to do with cows. Compared to her pastoral settings with cows, my photography seems, well, less than.
When I downloaded the picture later, it was not at all what I envisioned or expected. It was totally different. I was hoping the picture would be reminiscent of Meredith’s farm settings. But the camera didn’t focus on the cows at all, it focused on the fence, with the cows blurred in the background.
Here’s the surprise: It was beautiful. It was better than any picture I could have planned.
It was as if Jesus was tapping me on the shoulder saying:
Why are you comparing yourself to your friend and her talents? You are fearfully and wonderfully made! I gave you gifts and talents. Focus on them, focus on Me!
Where did that need to compare my talents to my friend’s come from?
In her book Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan, my friend Kristine explains that comparison is an age old problem dating back to Biblical times. Wow, who knew? Kristine tells the stories of three women of the Bible (Hagar, Leah and Hannah), and how their struggles rival ours today. She walks us through the steps each of these women took to find freedom from comparison.
“God doesn’t create clones. He creates unique masterpieces.” Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan
Kristine states that “Taking our focus away from God and placing it on other women, diverts our course.” When Hagar, Leah and Hannah learned to find contentment in their God-given uniqueness, they began to walk in freedom from the comparison trap. When they focused on Him, they no longer saw glaring differences that with other women.
Ladies, we can too! When we realize God’s plan for each of us is more than we could ever ask or imagine, we will realize we don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone.
My camera didn’t focus on the cows at all, but on the fence around them. Isn’t that what Jesus does? He takes our plans and visions and blurs out our mess, and brings Himself into striking focus. He took a picture that I wanted to look just like hers and made it a unique masterpiece of His.
Grace be with you,
In Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan, Kristine Brown takes us on a quest to learn the truth about comparison, and what we can do to quiet that pesky voice once and for all. Through relatable personal stories and practical biblical teaching, this book uncovers the solution to a battle all women face. Has the voice of comparison caused you to question whether you measure up next to her? Are you ready to erase comparison and embrace all God has planned for you? Then come along on the quest, friend. This book is for you.
Kristine is a writer, dramatist, and teacher. She helps women and teen girls navigate the ups and downs of real-life. Kristine devotes her time to family, freelance writing, and her non-profit ministry, More Than Yourself, Inc. You can read more from her at www.morethanyourself.com. Connect with Kristine on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Thank you for your unique insight into the book, Ellen. I love the quote you shared from the book that was a part of a blog post from Abby: “God doesn’t create clones. He creates unique masterpieces.” She stated this truth so beautifully, and I am so thankful she let me share them. Thank you too for letting me share a portion of one of your blog posts in the book! I love the variety of perspectives represented in #OverIt.
I loved seeing the different perspectives in your book, Kristine – all with one universal theme: We compare ourselves to others. {Sigh} Thank you for this book!
I love this, Ellen! And oh, how I can relate. Yes, Meredith’s pictures are awesome and my photography skills are nowhere near her level of talent. You are wonderful just the way God created you, my friend! Thank you for this timely and encouraging reminder. I am loving Kristine’s book. <3
Me too, Abby! Such a timely book. I appreciate you, sweet friend!
Ellen, this is great! I love how the picture didn’t quite turn out like you thought, but it really is a striking picture! It also gave you a good object lesson. 🙂 Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you Gayle! Lord knows, I’m a visual learner! Thanks He keeps teaching this old hard head of mine!
This is lovely, Ellen! I’m thankful God uses all means possible to teach us, to grow us, to sink His Word deep within us. Even through cows and a photograph. I appreciate how you related your experience to Kristine’s book. So good! Much love to you today, friend!
Thank you Julie! I appreciate all your encouragement!
Ellen, life gets so busy, and I have so many emails in my inbox! I almost deleted this without opening it, but I am so glad I took the time to read it!
It is such a good lesson on focusing on God and what he has given to each of us, rather than focusing on the traits others. So many people compare themselves to others and end up stagnant and paralyzed, because they do not have the same talents that others have. We all need to search for the abilities God has given to us, and use those to his Glory.
Thank you, my sweet friend, for this great reminder and for your inspired insight!!!
Oh, Charlotte, I’m so glad you opened your email and visited today. You are SO RIGHT: When we compare, we become paralyzed with fear, not moving forward and not serving the Lord where He would have us. Thank you for your encouragement, today!
I so get that. Longing for the gifts someone else has. It’s so easy to see their talents and skills and to see our shortcomings. I’m loving Kristine’s book as well! So relatable and I’ve really enjoyed her Biblical examples.
Me, too Lisa! Who knew comparison was alive and well in Biblical times?
Hi Ellen,
I can so relate to your efforts to duplicate the beautiful work of our friends and I applaud your photo-taking skills! I think it turned out great too! Comparison does zap so much of our own creativity and I love how you shared the story of Rachel and Leah and even though their situation was difficult, their rivalry did not lead to peaceful living. Continue taking photos, my friend, they are delightful!
Valerie, thanks so much for your encouragement! I love your photos too! It’s always a visual delight to visit Graced with Silk!
Lessons in everything! Thanks for reminding me where to place my focus today. Love Kristine’s book! Blessings friend!
Truth to plant in my heart: “He takes our plans and visions and blurs out our mess, and brings Himself into striking focus.” So much is released when Jesus is our focus. Thank you for the reminder, friend. : )