Grace lined up beside her siblings at the edge of the driveway. 'Ready, set, GO!' she shouted and sprinted forward.
But her shoelace caught and she tumbled onto the grass. 'I want to be first!' she said, stomping so hard a dandelion head flew off.
At the kitchen table, Grace reached for the last blueberry muffin before anyone else could. Her hand grabbed it fast — but it squished.
Blueberry juice ran all over the tablecloth. Her siblings looked up. Grace shoved the muffin back and folded her arms tight.
That evening, Grace sat alone on the back porch steps while her siblings played tag inside. She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve.
Her mom came out and sat close, pressing a warm hand on Grace's knee. 'Honey, you don't have to win to be wonderful,' she said.
'God made you just right, and He loves you very much.' Grace looked down at her scuffed knees and the dirt under her nails, then slowly un-folded her arms.
The next morning, Grace woke before anyone else and ran into the backyard. Sunlight poured over the flower beds and painted everything gold.
She stood in a warm patch of light and looked at her reflection in the birdbath — her hair was messy, her nose had a smudge of dirt, and she was smiling.
'I'm beautiful,' she whispered to the water. The reflection smiled back. A butterfly landed on her shoulder and tickled her neck.
Later, her siblings came bounding into the yard. Grace didn't race ahead — she clapped for them both as they zoomed past.
Her little brother tripped over the garden hose and Grace helped him up. Her sister offered Grace the biggest dandelion she picked. They sat together on the grass and watched the butterflies dance.