I found some notebooks with blank mosaic designs on the cover – the kind with intricate designs, bold black lines and white spaces to color. I bought a bundle for women’s events. (Coloring for adults? Um, yes! It’s relaxing. It’s easy to talk to each other while coloring. It’s something just about everyone can do.) I had extras, so my youngest daughter and I decided to grab the Sharpies and express our creativity.

We took different approaches: choosing corresponding colors and making predictable patterns versus randomly using as many colors as possible. The colors began to pop off the page. We worked and worked until our projects were complete. I looked at my daughter’s and thought, “Hers is so much better than mine.” I really wanted to use hers as an example instead of mine. I told her I might have her complete my notebook the next time. Hers seemed more presentable and attractive than mine.

However, I used mine as an example at an event. I didn’t take my daughter’s, although I tried to explain her approach to give people additional options. I received many compliments on mine, and I realized neither of our designs were more beautiful. Both were colorful. Each was unique. Both started with bold lines and plenty of white space for possibilities. Both portrayed a lot of effort. Both had what might be considered as mistakes, but in most cases, “mistakes” were indiscernible or had spurred a new idea for design.

God creates each of us in his image. We begin with his design. He has a finished design in mind; in fact, he knows what we’ll look like in the final moments of our lives and every other moment. He knows our mistakes, struggles with choices, lack of motivation, aches from effort, disinterest, and rationale behind our choices. He also knows how we’ll compare ourselves to others and decide we’re more or less beautiful, messy, and appealing.

How do you compare yourself to others?

Comparing ourselves to others isn’t helpful. The only accurate comparison is to God. He’s our designer, and he’s the definer of beautiful design. When we seek his perspective of us, we’re as realistic as we can possibly be. We see ourselves as God sees us – no more, no less.

How do you see your design in the context of God’s design for you?

Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself with others. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done. Each person must be responsible for himself. (Galatians 6:4-5)