Whoever coined the phrase “one size fits all” was a marketing genius. He or she was inaccurate, but since when does marketing have to be accurate?

God simply did not create us all the same. Yet for some reason, we still try to be like everyone else. This point was brought home to me recently while I was attending a ladies retreat.

During a particularly intense time of prayer on Friday evening, Joy Greene, the speaker, said she could just see Jesus as the King of Kings, sitting on the throne. She encouraged us to focus on that aspect of God. I was in the moment, praying, but all I could see were the shadows you see when you close your eyes tightly. No matter how hard I tried, I saw nothing.

The next morning during the praise and worship time, capably led by Treva Tankard and Tara Garrett, a picture popped into my mind from out of nowhere. It had nothing to do with the music or what anyone was saying, or so I thought. I saw the Pillsbury Doughboy and even heard his famous laugh. The picture was so vivid that I wrote it down in my journal, mostly so I could stop being distracted and focus on the rest of the day.

At one point during the afternoon session, Joy said, “We must have fresh bread.” She challenged us, saying God is taking us away from the manna and into the Promised Land. And then it hit me. Jesus said in John 6:48, “I am the bread of life.”

I was blown away. Here I was, all disappointed because I didn’t see Jesus as the King of Kings. Then I’m a weirdo because I see the Pillsbury Doughboy. The truth is, God revealed Himself to me in a way that was unique to me, to this part of my journey and based on the words I need to hear.

As I look at marketing my business, speaking and writing, I don’t fit neatly into anyone else’s mold. If I try to be like someone else, I’ll be frustrated and unsuccessful. I’m not a social media expert like Chris Brogan. I’m not a minister like Jon Swanson. I’m simply a Christian, following a call to use the gifts and talents God has given me to make a difference in the lives of others.

When have you tried to be like others and failed? What are your gifts? How are you using those gifts to make a difference in the lives of others?

I used to know a poem by Ann Kiemel, “Uniqueness.” Only the beginning and ending are still in my memory. “God wishes for you adventure in your uniqueness…never losing sight of the fun of you or who He created you to be.” May it be so for all of us.