VL - Issue 5 - September 2012

y Maureen Lendzion
NEVER
A Loser
For you created my
inmost being; you knit
me together in my
mother’s womb.
I praise you because
I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your
works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
Maureen Lendzion is enjoying
self-employment as a special
projects writer. She and her
husband Dennis have been
married 36 years and live in
Orange Park, Florida.
“And how old are you?”
That seems a simple enough
question to ask a four-year-old. Especially
since my brother would have
just proudly announced his age (11
months older than me), just prior to
my being asked the question.
But that question, or any other
that was spoken to me by an adult
that I was not familiar with, brought
about terror and the inability to respond.
So I lived my early life trying
to fly underneath everyone's radar,
not making waves or trouble (that
could get a kid noticed after all), and
trying my best to be invisible.
Overwhelming shyness made me
uncomfortable in any social setting,
school included. I didn't join in activities,
though I so wanted to. I was
an observer. It seemed the other
kids had something I didn't. I
couldn't identify it; they just
seemed comfortable in their skin.
How in the world do they do it? I
would think, as I watched them volunteer
for clubs, try out for sports, or-
-scariest of all--raise their hands in
class to answer a question. I envied
their confidence. It was all very wearing
and left me feeling like a loser.
Shyness followed me throughout
my school years ending with
me tying for “Most Shy” for the
senior superlatives to be published
in the annual high school yearbook.
Fortunately, I lost the title in the runoff
vote.
So imagine, years later, me at my
high school reunion chatting happily
with the very people I'd grown up
with, those who knew me at my
most meek and quiet self. And
imagine their surprise, that I had
built a career in public relations and
public speaking.
What, or who, changed me? God.
For clarification, God didn't actually
change me. He left me as He created
me. What He did do though,
was implant awareness into me that
I am His wonderfully made creation.
He had given me gifts that suited me
and no one else. He put people in my
path to encourage and teach me. Of
course, God has done the same for
you, but I'm hoping you were fortunate
enough to understand it sooner.
I don’t know why I didn't get the
memo. My grandmother, who was
such a major influence on my life,
tried to help me understand how
precious I was to both her and Jesus.
My grandfather, a caring, small town
pastor did his part too. But I could
look around any room and see
many, many people much more worthy
of God's attention. I was, after
all, just me.
Had I listened to God's nudging
earlier, who knows how my life may
Each person is so
special to God.
So special that He
has offered them a
direct line to Him
through Jesus, His
most precious Son.
have been different? I'll never know,
unless God chooses to enlighten me.
But I do believe with all my heart
that I am in life where God wants
me to be. It just may have taken
longer to get here, than it might
have. What life's trek has done for
me is given me true compassion for
those who continually feel “less
than.” I understand the feeling of
not measuring up; I can see it in
someone's face, hear it in their voice,
and feel it in a diverted glance.
Do you ever feel less than, like a
loser? If so, I’d like to remind you
that you too, are God's amazing creation
and when He looks at you, and
me, He says, “They are good!” He
smiles and takes great pleasure in
His creation… us.
Each person is so special to God.
So special that He has offered them
a direct line to Him through Jesus,
His most precious Son. How fortunate
does that make each and every
one of us? Surely no loser ever gets
an offer like that! v
Want to help others realize they are champions?
Go to our website at www.championsheart.org/our-ministries/getting-involved
or use your smart phone to scan the QR code.
www.championsheart.org 9