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You Are Valuable

He told her to hold out her hand.
He said Happy Birthday, and placed it within her palm.
There it sat.
Her grandmother's wedding ring.
She thought it had been lost forever... 

When her grandmother had died her belongings were divided among the family.  And when the one who got the ring came over for a visit, she noticed it was missing from their finger.  Inquiring where it was, they let her know it had been pawned to pay the electric bill.  " It's really not worth that much."  They declared.  This wasn't something new.  They had done things like this many times before.  As the words poured out, her heart sank.  Disbelief.  That was all she felt.  Her grandpa had designed that ring.  It represented over fifty years of marriage. Yet, it was simply discarded to pay a bill less than a hundred dollars.  There were so many other things that could have been sold...but they chose the ring.  It didn't have value to them.

When he walked through the door that night she told him what had happened and while her eyes filled with tears she filled his plate with pasta.  Nothing more was said about it.  Nothing - until the morning of her birthday when he quietly slipped it into her hand.  The ring really isn't her style.  Never has been.  But - the sentiment is what gives it value and the fact that her husband rescued it gives it even more.  So, when she slips it on her finger she carries the love of two men who have meant everything to her and she smiles.

Sometimes I feel like that ring.
Discarded.
Unloved.
Devalued.

Perhaps at times you do too?

Then I take a long look into the mirror of scripture and remind myself that "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Just as that ring was designed by my grandpa - my daddy.  God - my Heavenly Father designed me.  Even though I may be simply discarded by those walking this earth He values and loves me.

Sometimes...I'm the one doing the discarding
I can be unloving.
Unforgiving.
Devalue others

When I fail...when I take His love and forgiveness for granted...when I'm proud...arrogant..when I forget that others are "fearfully and wonderfully made" too...when I treat the one who died for me as if He has no value...He loves me.  He loves me so much that He sent Jesus to rescue me.  He corrects me.  Yet he is patient, kind, and merciful to me.  Forgiving me.  And still... He calls me His child.



Until then...
Jessie

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