Listen

Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely.

You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful — I know that very well.

Psalm 139:1-4, 13-14

Think

I love a celebration! I love celebrating people on their birthdays. I love celebrating students graduating and moving on to the next big thing. I even love seeing athletes hug each other and celebrate after they worked together to score a goal.

But I wonder: Have you ever thought about celebrating yourself? I think we sometimes tend to only celebrate events like weddings or awards day at school. But I think we should get in the habit of celebrating who we are! Today’s psalm — a psalm of thanksgiving — says that God knit us together, knows everything about us, and that we’re wonderful. And it’s true — God made you to be you! The same God who created every beautiful hue of the rainbow also created you, just as you are. Whether you play sports or are in the band, whether you’re quiet or outgoing, whether you love K-Pop or Harry Styles — know that you are so wonderfully and perfectly made.

When we celebrate who we are, we can also celebrate our differences. Let’s celebrate ourselves and each other today and every day!

Erin Spengeman Hutchison

Question to Ponder:

What wonderful thing about yourself will you pack in your backpack and bring with you to school?

Pray

Creative God, thank you that I am so wonderfully and perfectly made.

Help me to celebrate myself and have confidence in my uniqueness today.

Amen.

Go

What did you decide to put in your backpack?

Imagine you’re packing what you need and zipping up your backpack.

As you grab your backpack and go, remember that God is going with you, too.