The “comparison game” is no fun!

The “comparison game” is no fun!

Do you find yourself playing the “comparison game”? Your son, Matthew, just finished his Preparing Hearts for His Glory’s Independent History Study box. It was a special day! After reading Revelation 22:1-5, Matthew had to draw and color a picture of heaven that matched the Biblical description. You were so proud of him you snapped a quick picture of it and posted it on social media. Then, you happily hung his picture on the fridge.

Now every time you look at it, your heart fills with joy. His picture of heaven shows just how much he is beginning to love the Lord! He isn’t usually much of an artist, but he really took his time and tried on this one. It meant something to him! He was also able to follow the directions step-by-step all by himself for the first time. You begin making supper, humming a tune, smiling each time his picture on the fridge catches your eye. You are happy and content.

But then, the “comparison game” begins.

But, then the “comparison game” begins. After supper, you hop on social media. Just for fun you do a search looking for other Heart of Dakota students’ projects, and you happen to find a picture of the very project your son just did! Oh, how fun! Except the more you look at it, the more you begin to think your son’s picture really isn’t that great. I mean, this girl Chelsea’s picture looks like a piece of artwork! The drawing, the vibrant colors, the outlining, the attention to detail – it is beautiful. You study your son’s picture on the fridge and decide to take it down. Maybe tomorrow you can talk to him about trying to be a little more artistic in his projects like this Chelsea girl. Sigh. Another thing to work on.

Same night, different home…

Your daughter, Chelsea, just finished her homeschooling. It was a special day! After reading Revelation 22:1-5, Chelsea had to draw and color a picture of heaven that matched the Biblical description. You were so proud of her you snapped a quick picture of it and posted it on social media. Then, you happily hung her picture on the fridge.

Now every time you look at it, your heart fills with joy. Her picture of heaven is absolutely beautiful! She isn’t usually very open to following directions, but she really tried to listen today. She even took time to clean up her art table and put away her books – well, most of them at least. You begin making supper, humming a tune, smiling each time her picture on the fridge catches your eye. You are happy and content.

But then, the “comparison game” begins.

But, then the “comparison game” begins. After supper, you hop on social media. Just for fun you do a search looking for other Heart of Dakota students’ projects, and you happen to find a picture of the very project your daughter just did! Oh, how fun! Except the more you look at it, the more you begin to think your daughter’s picture really isn’t that great. I mean, this boy Matthew’s picture has a lot more connections to the Revelation passage. Though it isn’t very artistic, it sure has a lot of depth to it. You study your daughter’s picture on the fridge and decide to take it down. Maybe tomorrow you can talk to her about showing a little more depth in her projects like this Matthew boy. Sigh. Another thing to work on.

The “comparison game” can steal your joy!

Don’t let the “comparison game” steal your joy! The truth is both Matthew and Chelsea had good homeschool days that were special. Both made progress to celebrate! No one child can do everything perfectly. Each has gifts and talents the Lord has given. No one mother can do everything perfectly either. Each has gifts and talents the Lord has given. So, hang your child’s picture on the fridge, hum a tune, smile each time your child’s picture on the fridge catches your eye. Be happy and content! If you get on social media, enjoy it – but whatever you do, don’t play the “comparison game”. It has no winners!

In Christ,
Julie