After receiving a "C" on his language arts test, my youngest son's discouraged face told me he was frustrated. I saw there was deep emotion waiting to be expressed. Offering a listening ear and a patient hug, he began to share, "I'm not as smart as everyone else in this family." He thought he wasn't as good as his siblings, and he wanted to be an "A" student, too. Hearing his broken heart, I reflected on my own childhood experience with insensitive teachers comparing my performance in school to high-achieving, older siblings.

As parents of distance learning students, comparing your children can be dangerous. "But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12b). God has uniquely gifted each of your children and values each one. Encourage them to find their place within the family and then in the world. As your children find areas in which God created them to excel, a sense of self-worth is developed. My son's niche was finally found in math, music, and fishing. Hands down, neither his brother nor his sisters could top him in those areas.

How many times a day do you compare yourself to others? Do you wish you looked like someone else, had his home or money, or were as smart as he? In His divine wisdom, God knew this would be a problem for all mankind when He gave His commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's" (Exodus 20:17). Compared to Christ, we all fall short of the glory of God. Let Him lead you into His perfect will for your life and find the joyful niche He has created just for you. There is no better place to be for now and eternity!

Lord, thank You for giving me significance in this life. Help me remember I have value because of the great price that was paid for me on the cross. I choose to look at You today instead of comparing myself to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.