You are Precious

You are Valuable

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:8-19 NIV

“People who add value to others do so intentionally. I say that because to add value, leaders must give of themselves, and that rarely occurs by accident.” John C. Maxwell

Empty way of life handed down from our ancestors! Doesn’t this one statement explain a lot? I know many of my struggles in life have been handed down through generations. Some are alcoholism, personality disorders, and picking bad partners for life and business. I loved many of them to the moon and back but couldn’t change them. The destruction can stop with us.

It starts with the little things:

Kids should be seen and not heard. Really? Dinner time can be an educational and affectionate time with our kids. There is movie night, game night, doing the dishes with funny or educational conversations, and remembering vacations while washing the car.

They’re old now. What use are they? Wisdom. Did they fight in a war? Build a house? Teach? March with Martin Luther King, Junior? Save someone in an accident? Do they give you a warm smile and hug you?

Adding value to others is no accident.

The world shuts out and shuts down a person’s value unless you do it their way. The Father’s values are different from the world’s. Even when we don’t do it the way the Father wants, we’re still loved, encouraged and accepted. His forgiveness opens our hearts and minds to a better way.

You are valuable. You are loved. You matter.

Have there been people in your life that demonstrated their love as well as said it? They’re out there. My dear friend, who passed away recently, always had a pot of coffee, good conversation and a smile. We did embrace and say we loved each other. A gift.

Love is a verb. And it’s done whether we feel like it or not. We practice loving behavior when we overcome our “I’d rather not” times.

Our Father demonstrated his love for us while we were hostile toward Him and He still does.

Musings

“Self-care is a willingness to be happy and pursue joy,” Beatrice Chestnut wrote. I believe Christianity is a willingness to be happy and pursue joy while keeping an open heart and mind. This is how we heal and help others. This is an abundant life.

Prayer

Dear Father,

It’s so difficult to grasp how much you value us. We take it on faith and trust while the Holy Spirit guides and transforms us. We thank you for this gift—the mercies that are new every morning.

 Help us to show others their God-given value too.

Amen.