Today’s Theme: Woman of Worth
Today’s Dare: Dare to believe you are God’s Treasure and of Great Value to God.
I only have a few childhood pictures. Not sure why. Maybe because I came along 11 years after my sister. In any case, there are only a few. So, once again I got one out, as part of today’s dare. I have to admit, as silly as it sounds, this childhood picture exercise always does something within me. I look at that little girl, mold-able, young, dependent on those around her to shape her and influence her. And, sadly, I realize once again, that in a perfect world all influences would be stellar, and in the real world, some influences are negative and last for many years.
I will sum it up by saying that when seeing the little round faced girl in the picture, I feel a bit sad. That little girl always felt she was “not enough” and learned to believe that. Belief systems are rooted deeply in the ground of who we become. That is why the Faith Dare, 30 day focus, is so valuable to us that are committed to focusing upward, regardless of our life circumstances, past baggage or deeply rooted hurts.
A new belief system, goes hand in hand with a new heart. God desires to give us truth in the inward parts of us. Today I am praying that you take the dare to believe the TRUTH about yourself, about your life, and even about your upbringing.
The reason it is important for our wounds to heal is because we carry them with us into all our relationships. The insecurity that we feel as women, takes us to places and conclusions that do not serve us well, but hurt us and others.
In a world of imperfections, God looks at you and declares you His perfect work. Not perfect in what the world views as perfection, but perfect as in the word, COMPLETE. My dear sister, you are COMPLETE in Him, and so am I.
Living Up!
Debbie
Remember the Psalm 139 photo album? Look at the girl on those pages, framed with those words of truth. Behold what manner of love the Father has lavished on us that we [are now] children of God! And that is who we are!
Value. I asked my kids what that meant to them. “Something important, liked, wanted worth a lot” they said. I asked them how they took care of things of value to them. “I am careful, I put it somewhere safe, I show it off or put it somewhere where it can be seen” they said. Things of true value or worth, even to the world, are also desired by others.
I took out my scrapbook/baby book this morning as the dare suggested. I thought about it. My mom didn’t make it for me. She bought one for my sister and filled is pretty well with memories of her life. My brother got one with a few things in it, but Mom didn’t have the time to finish it. I didn’t even get one! But she did take pictures of me. So I decided to make one myself a few years ago. I brought it to my mom to fill in some of the things she remembered from my childhood so I could add it to the book.
I joke about it now, but it really bothered me for lots of years that she didn’t value me enough to even buy me a book! I get the fact that she didn’t have time to make it. I have books for my boys. Sean’s first year is…almost done! Ryan’s book has…about 10 pages to it! I have a plan for the rest of their lives and their books! I just don’t have the time to sit and do it. Does it mean that I don’t value them? No. Would it show them that I value them? Yes. Mom showed me how she valued me in different ways…my favorite meal and cake for each birthday. She even made me a crown for the first several years on my birthday. It was all there, in the book I had made. She made lots of costumes for Halloween, dresses for Easter, a stocking for Christmas. She showed that she valued me by taking so many pictures of my life.
So I got to thinking, how much more God does this for every part of my life. He treasures me. He made me. I am His friend. He protects me and directs me. He corrects me. Ouch! That’s where it hurts, but it doesn’t mean He doesn’t value me. He corrects and redirects because He values me and wants the best for me.
The things (I think) He has given me that come naturally to me are humor, creativity, compassion, a listening ear and a desire to help. I can see that in myself as a kid growing up. Things haven’t changed too much.
The truth is we all like treasure. We all like to feel like treasure to others.
God is asking me to treasure my kids, my husband, my extended family even though we live far apart and they don’t exactly seem to treasure me.
My challenge is letting them know that I treasure them. I want to work on the boy’s scrapbooks today, even for just a little while. I want to make my husband’s favorite scones even though it will heat up the kitchen. I want to send a not to one of my family members each day, by snail mail!!!!