me too, Iguana

When I was a child, there was a book we read as a family a lot.  It was from the “Sweet Pickles” collection called, “Me Too, Iguana.”  I can still hear my Dad saying it at just the right time, whenever my sister and I were struggling, “Me too, iguana…” he’d say.  and we knew exactly what he meant.

I’m sure you’re wondering what it was all about, so I’ll tell you. Iguana was an animal character, beautiful and green, living in a small town with all of her animal friends.  But, Iguana had a problem.  She wanted to be like everyone else.  In the story she tries to dress up with a trunk like Elephant’s, stripes like Zebra’s, and feathers like Stork’s.  And she makes quite a mess of things. Everyone around her sees her problem and devises a plan; in the end they convince her that she is best as an Iguana.

Recently I found this story on the iTunes book store and read it to my sweet boy, Isaac.  Oh how the memories rushed in of my dad reminding us that we didn’t need to be like everyone else.   It is a hard lesson to learn. After all this time, I’m still working on it as an adult.

When I start to think about it, it is almost embarrassing how often I wish my life was like someone else’s…  A different car- what would it be like to drive that new sporty VW bug?  Maybe a newer house- we’ve lived here quite a while, surely something more upscale is in order. How about a change in my calling – motherhood is rough sometimes, ya know. A new venue – couldn’t we do this thing called life in a different city?  And I look around at what is happening in my friends’ and acquaintance’s lives – or what others are talking about on Facebook or Pinterest (Heaven help me! I’m just being honest here) and I say in my heart, “Me too!”  just like Iguana…

But God says, “What I have for you, is just for you.  I’ve planned this especially for your life, it is my very best for your situation. Don’t look at others and what I’ve planned for them.  Look at me.”  The only one I should say, “Me too!” about is Jesus himself – and that can only happen when I keep my eyes on Him.  And when that takes place, when I focus on Him with my whole heart,   I can settle into what His desires are for me – and my heart is satisfied in Him and His will.  Everything else fades away and seems so much less important.

Jeremiah 29:11 couldn’t be more clear or relevant tonight:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

and Psalm 37:4&5 too: