A Valentine Story...The Ugly Duckling

posted on February 21

The ugly duckling…at an early age, I quickly resonated with the story.  Being the youngest of three girls, I learned early on that my sisters were the swans, I the ugly duckling.  They had beautiful silky hair, mine was kudzu. They had perfectly straight teeth; mine were bucked. Bright blue eyes they shared; mine were pale green. Their faces were like porcelain; mine, splashed with freckles. They were fun and darling; I was painfully shy and awkward…the ugly duckling.  They did not make me feel that way, but being the bright child I was, the comparisons were difficult to miss, and upon reading the story, my observations were given a voice…my lot in life upon reading the ugly duckling story became abundantly clear.  

Until I was 12…I’m not sure of the exact epiphany I had of understanding my true lot, but I do credit my enlightenment being the result of having been raised in a faith filled home and church. Oddly enough, my epiphany occurred while celebrating Valentine’s. Much to my great relief and joyous revelation, I discovered through reading and studying the scripture, Bible lessons taught to me in Sunday school and preaching, and through the nurturing, encouragement and acceptance of my family and church family, that whatever my lot, an ugly duckling or swan...

we, out of all creation, 
became his prized possession. 
James 1:18 (NLT)

Isn’t that just the most exhilarating, liberating news ever!!  You and I are His prized possession!! What better Valentine to receive?  Love within my home and within my church and from listening to and believing in the words of Jesus the Christ, the genuine first Valentine, I know and live in true love…

Joyous, sweet love to you all…His prized possessions…from Kim, the prized ugly duckling.

Kim Eller, District Lay Leader
Northern Piedmont District 

P. S. My sisters are still beautiful swans. 

Vicki Marie, Beverly Kim, Sherry Dawn...the Morphis girls