When my niece, Rachel, was growing up, she had two Aunt Marys. She would be talking about Aunt Mary, and her mom would quickly become confused and ask questions trying to decipher the story. In her frustration, Rachel would say, “No, the other Aunt Mary!”
Over time, “the other Aunt Mary” stuck with both of us. We refer to one another by the nickname we were given by our niece many years ago. We are from opposite sides of the family, but have been friends for many years.
This week I had the privilege of helping the other Aunt Mary, Mary Rogers, self-publish her first book, God’s Magnificent Creatures. Having this opportunity reminds me that God made each of us different. We share the same first name, but we both have different strengths and weaknesses. Yet God brought us together to help spread the Good News about our Savior.
Mary’s style of writing is different than mine. She sees nature through God’s eyes, and relates buzzards and stink bugs to our lives and lessons from the Bible. I on the other hand, write shorter stories about farming, joys, struggles, and accomplishments in life.
Even though we are both wonderfully and uniquely made, our differences also complement one another. I have strong computer skills, where the other Aunt Mary sometimes struggles. She can easily relate to someone in pain, because she endured such pain herself for many years. Though I know what pain is, I have never endured it to the point of it being debilitating like she has.
Do you see me point? We share the same first name, but we are not the same person. Therefore when Rachel was talking about Aunt Mary, her mom just didn’t understand what she was trying to share.
God made each of us unique, so that when we come together, we make a stronger body of Christ. A body which can thrive, support one another, and help carry the load in our own special and unique way.
I am reminded of the story found in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.
After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
Our importance in this world isn’t our name, or how we know one another. It isn’t that we are “the other Aunt Mary.” Our importance is that we are planting and watering seeds for Christ, remembering that we all have a wonderful purpose in His Great Commission.
Being a twin, we have enjoyed our likenesses but acknowledge our differences. While we both enjoy making cards, our styles are different – yet each sharing hope and encouragement to others with scripture.
Cool…thanks for sharing!