Sabbath Devotional :: I Will Just Be Me

When my daughter was little, she was drawing pictures during sacrament meeting. She drew a picture of a person wearing a cape. There was a word bubble that said, “I am a superhero. But I do not know how to be a superhero, so I am just be me.”

Despite the glaring grammatical error, I thought that was profound, especially considering that she drew the picture on Mother’s Day. I had never seen such a perfect representation of motherhood, or womanhood in general. Those who praise women often make them out to be superheroes, saints, or angels. But back here on earth, women everywhere are saying, “I do not know how to be a superhero, so I will just be me.”

And being “me” is usually the best way to go.

We have five children, whom I will call Peter (23), Susan (21), Edmund (19), Lucy (17), and Polly (8). (These are not their real names.)

Obviously, there is a big age difference between my youngest and the rest. Polly loves spending time with each of them, but she has a different relationship with each one. If she is hanging out with Peter, she can expect to build with Lego or play video games. They might watch funny videos or, if Peter is feeling ambitious, create a Lego stop-motion.

If Susan is watching her, I can guarantee that it will be loud. I will come home to find music — usually a Disney playlist — along with a dance party or sing-along. There’s a good chance Polly will have had a pedicure or makeover.

When Edmund and Polly are together, you can expect lots of running around and roughhousing, possibly climbing on furniture or literally climbing the walls. The energy is contagious.

When Polly has time with Lucy, things will be gentle and quiet. They might enjoy an art lesson or craft project. Depending on the weather, they will often go outside to watch the clouds or take a walk to find wildflowers.

The interesting thing about my observations is that none of my older kids have to be what they are not in order to meet Polly’s needs. Peter doesn’t have to wrestle or kick a soccer ball. Susan doesn’t have to sit still to make a stop-motion video. Peter doesn’t have to do crafts and Lucy doesn’t have to dance.

And yet, they are all learning sacrifice, patience, love, and joy. As they serve their sister, they are each being blessed to develop Christlike attributes that will help them become better people.

We each come to earth with a divine nature and gifts of the spirit that are unique to us. As we discover what our own gifts are, we can play to our strengths instead of focusing on the things other people are doing. In the parable of the talents, each of the man’s servants is given a unique set of talents. The two faithful servants used what they had been given and, symbolically in the parable, the Lord magnified their efforts, helped them multiply their talents, and recognized their faithfulness.

I like the story of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Martha had opened her home to Jesus and was preparing a meal to share. Mary was sitting at Christ’s feet listening and learning. Often, when we hear this story, we are critical of Martha, who was “cumbered about much serving” and had not chosen “the good part,” or “the needful thing.” My former religion professor at BYU, Camille Fronk Olson, pointed out that Jesus was not critical of Martha’s service until she compared her work to Mary’s. She said, “The sisters’ different approaches to serving the Master teach us to respect and honor those who manifest discipleship in different ways. Jesus’s teachings in this story also show His perspective that women were free to choose how to serve and how to show discipleship, just as men could choose.”(1)

Martha’s service indicates that she was putting faith into action, providing for the temporal needs of her guests. Jesus had demonstrated that he recognized the importance of eating: for example, he had provided manna from heaven for the Israelites and fed 5000 followers in Jerusalem. He expressed no disappointment in Martha’s chosen service for him and others.

His correction was for her comparison.

“As we serve, we need to remember that there are other ways to serve and that we are not to judge those participating in them. When Martha became ‘cumbered about’ (Luke 10:40), her reaction introduced contention and threatened the goodwill of the Savior’s visit.”

She thought she alone was serving.

Dr. Olson continues: “With a voice of caution, Jesus acknowledged Martha’s efforts to serve and her resultant frustration: ‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things’ (Luke 10:41). The Savior’s words were meant not to devalue Martha’s chosen way to show hospitality but to acknowledge the right that Mary had to serve through listening and learning.”

Jesus tells the sisters that “one thing is needful” (Luke 10:42). Dr. Olson says, “The standard of ‘needful’ is found in our motives. Regardless of the way we choose to serve, what is important is accepting and following Christ with all our heart and mind.”

As disciples of Christ, we each have something unique to give. We can offer our own talents in service to others and the Lord will magnify our offering. We don’t need to worry or compare our service to others. If we serve with an eye single to his glory, we will be led to serve in unique ways that will benefit others and help us become the best version of ourselves.