A few months ago a friend of mine posted a photo of her bathroom remodel- it was beautiful. As I swiped through her photos, I was amused to see she had a framed photo of a sloth on display. I would have laughed, but something inside me broke and I cried instead.

You see, I am a small-plate person, which means I operate best when only a few things are on my plate. I prefer a little breathing room in my schedule and become quickly overwhelmed when I have outside engagements on a regular basis. To be honest, I sometimes feel overwhelmed just HEARING someone review their litany of to-do items.

In a culture that seems to value busyness as a supreme virtue, a signal of productivity and usefulness- I have sometimes felt like a sloth of the human race in comparison. I can prize those abilities in others- how wonderful! I love that you are so gifted in administration! You volunteer in so many areas- what a blessing!

But the same awe that compels me to champion that gift in others leaves me despairing over my own inability to perform – to balance, to juggle, to DO so many things at once.

So when I saw that sloth, proudly displayed in her oh-so-modern and beautiful bathroom, I realized: Some people love sloths. God made sloths, and he loves them too! Even though they’re slow! Even though they don’t seem to accomplish a lot! Some people think they are adorable even!

And then I thought: I can be an adorable sloth! God can like me even though I’m not the Type-A, driven, overly productive sort of person who has six plates full of commitments, all spinning in the air at once!

So I cried pretty hard that day because it’s a bit of a relief to discover God does not carry the same disappointment I feel toward myself. He’s not tapping his foot in exasperation, waiting for me to Get it together! Do more! Be more! Conform to the culture of Productivity!! The same God who created cheetahs, rhinos, lions, and eagles also made snails, sloths, turtles, and sea horses and when he finished, he looked at all he made and said- Looks good- I like it!

What a relief. Apparently, God loves diversity.