On Outside Looking In or On the Inside Looking Out?

I've been sending my almost 18 year old son scripture passages to read & study throughout Lent this year. It began as a challenge to him, to encourage him to explore for himself the things he has been taught all of his life. It has become a challenge for me as well; to find passages that I hope will speak to him and draw him close to discovering who he is called to be. I can not quite believe how quickly my little boy has become a man, and as he approaches the age of majority it has become all the more critical that he takes responsibility for his faith in Christ.
Today's passage was 1 Peter 2:1-10. The verse that had been on my heart to underline for him though was verse 9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." The way I remember learning it however was with the phrase "a peculiar people" rather than "God's special possession". I have often felt, even among my nearest & dearest, different, odd, on the outside. Don't get me wrong-I sincerely like who I am, I always have, but I have never quite felt like I fit in.
Maybe I'm the only one who ever feels this way, but I somehow doubt it.
I was never part of the "in" crowd, all the way back to high school I embraced my "inner nerd". I figured I may as well be deliberate in being different.
I grew up, made new friends, built new relationships with people I feel real kinship with. And still I find myself looking around, feeling like an outsider, alone, even sometimes like I'm playacting.
And then I remember that verse. I'm not supposed to be like everyone else. I am me. I am unique, with unique gifts and talents and knowledge. And I am not alone, I am called to be this person; this mom, this friend, this woman.
Its funny, as teenagers we strive to be unique, different, so we dress like our friends, embrace the same movies and trends, and dread standing out. And we never quite outgrow that, do we?
The road I find myself on is well traveled and yet I can, I must forge my own path. I am blessed to have a Light to guide my steps. I do not know where this road will take me, but I must be the me I was called to be-chosen, royal, holy and yes, peculiar.
What about you? Do you ever feel like you just don't fit?