I read the unusual story of “Sparky” who flunked most of his school subjects. He was awkward in sports but finally made the golf team and lost the only game of the season. He was shy, awkward, unique, unusual, a social outcast, and a loner. In high school he never once asked a girl for a date. Drawing became his passion and obsession, but no one else seemed to appreciate it. He submitted cartoons for the yearbook – rejected. He sent his artwork to Disney – rejected. But “Sparky” did not quit. He finally decided to write his life in cartoons using cartoon characters. It worked! The popularity of his cartoons led to books, TV, and movies that still continue. Who was the unknown Sparky? Sparky became the world-famous Charlie Brown. Charles “Sparky” Schulz (Died February 12, 2000) was Charlie Brown, and Charlie Brown was Charles Schulz in the famous Peanuts comic strip. All the characters of Peanuts were people involved in Sparky’s life. Charles Schulz was unable to succeed, but Charlie Brown made Charles Schulz a very wealthy man.
Charlie Brown never once: kicked the football, dated the little red-headed girl, or won a baseball game. He never got Valentines, “only a rock.” He had sad Christmas trees. Do you feel like “Charlie Brown?” Well, join the crowd, Charlie Brown’s unusual uniqueness made him popular because many, many people associated their life with Charlie Brown. He was unique and you are also you-nique. When you try to be who you ain’t, it only brings insecurity and instability. I often say, “Be who you is cuz if you ain’t who you is then you is who you ain’t” (Southern talk). There are almost 8 billion people in this world but only one you. You are unique and unusual. There is no one else like you! Learn to use your personal God-given gifts and abilities. The Lord only expects you to do what you can.
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12). Use what you hath. Don’t worry about your “hath nots.” Focus on your “haths” that make you You-nique. When you feel like a failure as Sparky, learn to get back up. A failure is not someone who fails but someone who quits. Seek your “sweet-spot,” and you may find in you a “Sparky” waiting to become “Charlie Brown.” The Lord can do for you what you cannot do for yourself. The unknown Charles Schulz died, but the non-talking adults, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Pattie, Sallie Brown, the little red-headed girl, Pig Pen, Schroeder, Marcie, Violet, Freda, Peggy Jean, Franklin, Rerun van Pelt, Woodstock, the Great Pumpkin, and even the kite eating tree still live on and on. It is amazing what God does with ordinary people. When God gives you a gift it pleases you. When you use your gift it pleases God. Use your gifts and God will open doors and bring you before great men (Prov. 18:16).You will be glad you did and so will the Lord. You and Charlie Brown are both You-nique!
