Growing up different

As a child I always knew I was different but it never seemed to bother me. I knew God had created me in his image and had a plan for my life. From a very young age my parents told me that everyone is created imperfectly perfect by God. My whole life God has been my rock, the person I go to in times of stress and worries. The bible verse I have lived by my whole life is "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13. When I was born my mom was worried how I would tie my shoes and other things. I can remember the first time I tried to tie them. My dad sat me down and had one hand behind his back and the other tying the shoe in front of him. He taught me how to tie my shoes with just one hand, and also how to use my little arm and time them. I learned quickly and found that I could do anything people with two hands could do. The next thing that I learned to do that was fairly difficult was putting up my hair. I can remember sitting in class attempting to put up my hair in a ponytail like every other girl in my class. It took me three years to accomplish this task, but with effort, determination, and practice you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I did this by getting down on my knees, flipping my head over and using my little arm and hand to gather all of my hair, I then put the ponytail holder on my right wrist and used the bone in my little arm to grab onto the hair tie and pull through the hair. It always takes me five or more tries even so today but eventually I get it up. As a kid I loved to be outside, I can remember doing many activities with my older brother Grant, we would climb trees, shoot our bows, play cowboys and ride four-wheelers. I think having him there to challenge me with sports and these activities made me stronger as a child. With shooting a bow I was able to pull back with my little arm and let go, I found I had to wear duct tape on my little arm so that the bow string would not cut into the skin of my arm. I have always been able to do anything I put my mind to and anyone can if you just have the determination. Yes some things can be challenging, but that is life. We all are made different and growing up with only one arm has been something that I would never change. I believe everybody is different. Some peoples differences are easier to see than the others have on the inside, but EVERYBODY has got something and God doesn't give challenges to those who can not handle them. So be proud of who you are, and know that you are beautiful. 

Sincerely 
Sarah Stump
#ImperfectlyPerfect