
Jen’s Gem: You were created for greatness!
I don’t know about you, but when I see what appears to be a perfectly abled person parking in a handicap spot, I get a little miffed. Now I realize that not all disabilities are visible. However, I have to assume that if there’s no handicap sticker, giving you the right to park in that spot, then you must be A-ok and have to circle the parking lot like the rest of us.
This topic of being handicapped has weighed on my mind this week. When I looked up the origins of the word, I was quite surprised at its various meanings over time. In the days of kings and queens, the word was meant to describe disabled veterans who were given permission by the king to beg in the streets to earn their way.
It then morphed into a game where people would compare their trinkets with a third-party making the decision on their value and ensuring an ‘equalization’ between the two players. Fast forward a few hundred years and now you see many sports whose players have handicaps in order to accomplish the same thing – fairness.
The negative connotation has only arisen in the last hundred or so years as once again the term was used to describe disabled people. The politically correct term – differently abled – came about only recently.
It then morphed into a game where people would compare their trinkets with a third-party making the decision on their value and ensuring an ‘equalization’ between the two players. Fast forward a few hundred years and now you see many sports whose players have handicaps in order to accomplish the same thing – fairness.
The negative connotation has only arisen in the last hundred or so years as once again the term was used to describe disabled people. The politically correct term – differently abled – came about only recently.
What Do You Say About You?
Why am I spending so much time describing a term that’s not likely part of your vernacular every day? Well, I have seen otherwise. While people may not specifically use this term, here’s what they do say:
“I have no self-control.”
“I’m not smart enough to do that.”
“I have no patience.”
“I can’t do this.”
It’s likely that you’ve said one or all of these within an hour of reading this newsletter. And if not, it’s likely you heard a friend or sibling or even your child utter these negative phrases. Why do we do this? Why do we say things about ourselves that just are not true? Would those who love us say the same things to us? Can you imagine your best friend telling you that you aren’t smart or capable?
No – you cannot. Why? Well – one reason may be that they love you and don’t want to hurt you. But the other reason may be that – now are you ready? It’s just not true.
Recently I was having a ‘talk me off the ledge’ moment with one of my very best friends. As I began to describe myself in not so flattering terms, she not only interrupted me but forcefully interrupted me and clearly stated. “That is not true Jennifer.”
As she made her case for the inaccuracy of this falsehood, I found myself slowly pulling out of the handicap spot. I began to realize that she was right. The truth really does set you free.
“I have no self-control.”
“I’m not smart enough to do that.”
“I have no patience.”
“I can’t do this.”
It’s likely that you’ve said one or all of these within an hour of reading this newsletter. And if not, it’s likely you heard a friend or sibling or even your child utter these negative phrases. Why do we do this? Why do we say things about ourselves that just are not true? Would those who love us say the same things to us? Can you imagine your best friend telling you that you aren’t smart or capable?
No – you cannot. Why? Well – one reason may be that they love you and don’t want to hurt you. But the other reason may be that – now are you ready? It’s just not true.
Recently I was having a ‘talk me off the ledge’ moment with one of my very best friends. As I began to describe myself in not so flattering terms, she not only interrupted me but forcefully interrupted me and clearly stated. “That is not true Jennifer.”
As she made her case for the inaccuracy of this falsehood, I found myself slowly pulling out of the handicap spot. I began to realize that she was right. The truth really does set you free.
What Does God Say About You?
I am currently reading Ephesians – one of the books in the New Testament. Its author, Paul was writing to the people of Ephesus to encourage them in their faith. In the most loving words imaginable, he tells these folks how great they are, how much they are loved and how special they are to God.
It’s pretty amazing really and I have found myself reading certain passages repeatedly and thinking – if people today were told this on a regular basis, not only would we be speeding out of self-imposed handicap spots but we’d never even entertain the thought of parking there in the first place.
I liken this thinking to babies and toddlers. Without anyone telling them, there’s a “knowing” that they are perfect and special and lovable and fearless. They live their little lives by these truths until parents or others begin to break them down with statements like the ones I mentioned above. Sadly, it is these statements we tend to believe more and carry with us on a daily basis.

I want to encourage you this week to examine the lies you’ve been told – or have subscribed to over time. Dissect them until you discover their origin. If they came from another human being – guess what? They’re lies and it’s time to cast them aside and replace them with these truths.
You were created for greatness. You are loved. You are special. You are powerful.
Get a hold of these truths and you’ll never have to park in the handicap spot ever again.