Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Unlikely Peas in a Pod

"Annaree, Annaree!" Maddie, 2, called to her big sister. That they adore each other is obvious, even though Maddie's vigorous, assertive personality is in stark contrast to five-year-old Anne-Marie's sensitive, gentler self. I found myself thanking God that Maddie was not born first, as she would have pulverized her younger sister. Instead, Anne-Marie gets the scratches and clumsy, though surprisingly hard, bumps and blows inflicted by the adorable-looking moppet with the tangle of red curls.

Blonde, fragile-in-comparison, "Annaree" can sometimes be heard sobbing, brokenhearted at something her insensitive little sister has dished out. Soon, though, they are hugging, having lovingly forgotten their differences.

Anne-Marie was always a cuddler, while Maddie eschewed being held too much, wriggling free to get down. Anne-Marie liked sleeping in her parents' bed, while Maddie preferred to sleep alone in the quiet of the nursery. Now at almost 3, Maddie is a determined, deliberate speaker who insists on being understood. Anne-Marie is a spiritual, angelic, little sweetheart with serious thoughts who loves to go to church.

Today my son said they were riding along and saw a man with a bandana around his head. Maddie piped up, "Look, a pirate!" Then they saw a jeep, and fanciful Anne-Marie said, "Maybe we could sell one of our cars and buy a jeep!"

How wonderful that each of us is born with our own identity. God says he knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb. He made us for his own purposes just as we are. It is up to us to develop our gifts and utilize our personality for Him.

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