Wow, you are so small. How old are you? You look fourteen. Why are you so short? What’s wrong with your legs? Are you a dwarf? These are just a few questions, statements and observations I get said to me almost every week.
I have to laugh because, although it doesn’t bother me that I am smaller than most people my age as much anymore, it seems to somehow bother other people to the point where they feel the need to ask me why I am the way I am.
Big things come in small packages
Height is a funny thing. As honest the question, or as unintentionally rude it may sound when being asked, no matter how tall or short you are, someone always feels the need to comment on how tall you are. But why do they do it? Does it make them feel better about themselves? Or are they genuinely wondering why you have been given the height you are?
The sayings ‘big things come in small packages’ or ‘God only lets things grow until they are perfect…’ have been said to me multiple times when I felt discouraged about being smaller than everyone else. I always felt like that was an excuse to admire my height or to not be so ashamed of it, but you know what? Whatever height you are, wear it proudly because your God made you just the way he wanted you to look. Besides, I cannot ever imagine myself tall–it just wouldn’t make me who I am.
Perfectly shaped world
I love people-watching, and as creepy as that may sound, people are just so interesting to observe. I love admiring how different shapes and sizes create the society in which we live in. Every single body has a purpose, every pair of feet has a destination, every mouth has a story to tell. God has created each and everyone of us to fit into this little place we call Earth for a unique and individual purpose.
Our heights, our shapes, the way we talk and interact with others should have no limitations on the wonders we can do for God’s glory if we let Him work through what he has given us. The only real limits we have is when we start to have self doubt and believe the negative things said to us, or what we even say to ourselves.
I have always been smaller than everyone my age. Even my younger, 18-year-old brother is taller than me, and my 12-year-old brother is catching up quickly. But in the words of Frank Sinatra, ‘that’s life’, but it’s the life God has given to me. Yes, I get teased and made fun of for my height, yes sometimes I get sick of being asked and have even considered making little business cards one one side saying ‘yes I am short…’ to hand out to people. But besides what people say, that shouldn’t be the reason why I stop doing what God wants me to do for him.
We are one
God uses everyone, no matter their circumstances, their looks, their stature or their status, for the good of His glory. The bible says in 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 7, ‘But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’
We are all one in Christ, despite what we may think of ourselves or others. I should not judge someone else because they have something I don’t, just as I would expect no one else to judge me the same way.
Be content
‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets’ (Matthew chapter 7, verse 12). We all have something unique and beautiful to offer in this world–that’s the way God created us.
Why are you so short?
Because that is how my God created me. If I was anything else, I would not be the person I was made to be. I will glorify His name through whatever He has given me–height and all.
‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ (Galatians chapter 3, verse 28).
Cartia Moore is a connoisseur of fine chocolate and a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Drama, and Screen & Media Studies. Her focus is film, television and swordfighting sequences. She hopes to graduate and form her own drama and acting school.