Every day I am thankful the Lord planted me in easternKentucky.

I often say green is one of His favorite colors; there are so many shades of it here. Just after the final winter thaw, the trees begin turning a light chartreuse color. After spring rains, they burst into a lush green. Redbuds, oaks, maples, dogwoods, sycamore trees, and many more compete for hill space with different leaf shapes and bark. How kind of God to have such a diverse assortment on each mountain.

Healthy and green now, each tree’s leaves will turn a vibrant color in the fall. God placed oaks beside maples, evergreens next to sumacs, and so on to complement each other. What an extra blessing it is to see red, orange, and yellow leaves when weather turns cooler.

Heading to work this morning, I soaked up a vast mountain scene as I rounded a curve and couldn’t help smiling. What a lovely green landscape, I thought. A mimosa tree was peeking out of the crowd. Right in the middle of the solid green mass was a sturdy tree covered with pink, puffy balls. How fun that on the third day of creation, God took time to make a whimsical tree with pretty fuzzy tassels.

My imagination kicked in. I wondered what the other trees thought of the mimosa. While they are all covered in green leaves, the mimosa has little bursts of bright color that stand out. Do the oaks and maples tease the mimosa for being different, for being extra? Do they judge it because it is unique?

God created us and gave us different personalities and talents. We each have different dreams and circles of influence. When Psalm 139:13 tells us He knit us together, that’s a work of love. When someone knits, it takes time, care, and a plan. Each stitch is crafted with love. That’s how God made each of us. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, and we need to be reminded, that we are His handiwork. You may not feel like a work of art, but you are. God loves you and has plans for you.

In Psalm 139:14, David wrote, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I get the “fearfully” part but struggle with the “wonderfully made” part.

I wear Crocs almost every day and chicken earrings on Tuesdays. I’m often extra with enthusiasm and have been shooshed many a time for being loud. Maybe I’m a human mimosa. Not with pretty pink pom poms, just unique. Do you ever feel that way?

I have to remind myself who I am and Whose I am. God hasn’t called me to be you or you me. The shepherds weren’t called to be wise men or vice versa. Elijah wasn’t called to lead the people out of Egypt; that was Moses’ job. It wasn’t Simon Peter on the ark. (Oh, what different stories that would be!) Noah wasn’t charged with being one of Jesus’ disciples.

God knows what He is doing. He can use us how we are, right where He planted us.

God didn’t call the mimosa to be an evergreen or a poplar. He made it to be special. To be a bright spot on a dark day. In a world full of green trees, be a mimosa. Be exactly who God created you to be!