Why Bother With Unique Fingerprints? A Lesson From My Nursing Home Art Class

I taught my little art class yesterday for my nursing home residents. We wanted to do a spring watercolor, which was ironic considering what a blustery cold day it was. No one had ever drawn a robin before, and all greeted my model picture with the same dubious laughs and assurances they could never do that, like I hear every month. The painting at the top of the blog is by one of those folks who said they could never paint a robin. All the paintings below are by residents who voiced a similar concern.

I love how each artist interpreted the scene a little differently. Each was unique though we used the same model picture, and the same set of watercolors, and the same instructions from yours truly.

Did you know that even identical twins have different fingerprints? How could that be? They share the same DNA. An even more interesting question is WHY would God design even identical twins to be unique?

Here is what I think. We are all loved by God. Each of us is uniquely, specially designed in such a way that NO ONE can take our place. If I leave this world, there will be a Vicky-shaped gap that no one else can fill. That is true of each of you. I think God is sending an unmistakable message that each one of us is of infinite and unique value to God.

Kind of makes you feel important, doesn't it? I matter! So do you! Now go and be YOU in the way only YOU can be to a world that could be better because YOU are here. God would not have made you if this wasn't true.

It is one of the reasons I fight so passionately to urge women not to abort. That child they carry is uniquely made in God's image for a wonderful purpose that ONLY that child can fulfill. 

His painting of you is based on His image, but each one of us is painted in a glorious unique and different way. Now go fulfill your unique and special purpose to the glory of the One who designed you.
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Ephesians 2:10 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Matthew 10:30 

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Romans 12:1-21 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...