THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER

"With Daddy it's different.  If he holds Margot up as an example, approves of what she does, praises and caresses her, then something gnaws at me inside, because I adore Daddy.  He is the one I look up to.  I don't love anyone in the world but him.  He doesn't notice that he treats Margot differently from me.  Now Margot is just the prettiest, sweetest most beautiful girl in the world.  But all the same I feel I have some right to be taken seriously too.  I have always been the dunce, the ne'er-do-well of the family.  I've always had to pay double for my deeds, first with the scolding and then again because of the way my feelings are hurt.  Now I'm not satisfied with this apparent favoritism any more.  I want something from Daddy that he is not able to give me.... It is only that I long for Daddy's real love:  not only as his child, but for me -- Anne, myself."  -- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne wrote with such perception about her family life; expressing her feelings about the balance of power between herself, her sister, Margot, and their father.  As I read these words; I reflected on my own feelings; realizing that we all go through this at some point.  Each of us desiring the need for acceptance and recognition for our accomplishments.  Most of the time we don't feel like we have been awarded for our good deeds or our talents etc.

Some where we have to learn to recognize our own value and worth - not depending on what others think.

Our true worth and value is prescribed through the scriptures teaching us that we are of a divine nature and have tremendous worth.  These values are described in detail with great love from a Heavenly Father who knows each of us individually. 

Once we understand who we are there should never be a struggle for power; recognition or acceptance.  We should only feel the peace that is promised to us.