By: Anna Grace Postlewaite

Being an American missionary kid growing up in Bulgaria, I have always been a little different in some ways. When I first started school, the thing that made me stand out from the crowd was that I could barely speak the language. I also didn’t know any other kids like me for a long time.

Now I’m in 7th grade, and after living here for ten years, I know Bulgarian quite well. Since I started middle school, though, there’s another difference about me that makes me stand out, no matter how hard I try to fit in – my faith in God. Many of my classmates are on all kinds of social media and watch TV shows that aren’t very appropriate. Sometimes my friends start talking about something on TikTok or Instagram, and I feel like I never have no idea what’s going on.

I don’t like feeling different and sometimes I just want to be like everyone else. But then I remember that as Christians, we are a “holy nation,” a “chosen people.” We are called to stand out from the crowd like Jesus did. He wasn’t like everyone else and didn’t give in to peer pressure just so he could be liked. He loved everyone, even us sinners. He has chosen us and made us different because He has a purpose for us. Why would we want to be a part of the world, when we are already a part of something much greater – Jesus’ family?

A friend of mine once asked me, “Why are you nice to people who are awful to you? They don’t deserve it and you’re wasting your effort on them.” They might be right. I could just give up on some people. But I won’t because that’s not what Jesus did with me.

The truth is, I will always be different. But maybe that’s good. Maybe I’m meant to stand out and show the same kind of “different” love that Jesus had.

About the Author: Anna Grace lives with her family in Pleven, Bulgaria, where her parents serve as church planting missionaries. She loves singing, baking, reading, writing, being creative, and doing things that bring people joy. She loves spending time with her friends and family --especially her sister Jonna, who is her closet friend.