How often do we inadvertently compare ourselves to others and feel that we lack something? I confess that this happens more often than I like to admit.  We all enjoy hearing that what we do is important to others or that it is worthy of a compliment, but when we don’t receive this craved feedback does that mean that what we have done is less noteworthy?  Should we then doubt that our work or who we are is less valuable than what someone else has done? What about our children? What message do we send them we try to keep up with the Jones’s or ask them why they can’t be like so and so or nitpick them to the point of tears?  It’s easy to find fault.  We all have them. The real challenge is to find our value and the place that our Father has made for us in this world. I want my children to have confidence in who they are in Christ.  When we have achieved this goal how much easier will it be for our children to do the same? They learn the most from observation.  So, what they observe they will imitate.  We should strive to exude Jesus in us so that our children can radiate His love. If we call ourselves Christian in His name and then are critical of ourselves, what does that say about the One who is in us?  Perhaps if we took a little time every day to reflect on all the things we do like about ourselves and to work on the things that may not be pleasing to God, we may be able to accept ourselves for who He made us to be and not be as concerned with how someone else is or what they think of us. 

 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.