One day I had a speaking engagement in Florida and I shared a table with three elegant young women. I felt fat, forty, and somewhat futile.

Suddenly and unexpectedly God inquired of me, "Why do you think everyone is so tense?"

"Competition," I replied with sudden understanding.

I distinctly heard his next words: "Jill, you'll never be competition."

For the first time I thanked God for my ordinary good looks. I could be a big sister to women, a friendly mother, an aunt. I could relax, knowing I would never threaten anyone. God had made me just right for my ministry of teaching women, and that was all that mattered.