Value

Every person has value. No one is more or less valuable than anyone else. You can’t do anything to increase or decrease your value. It’s not based on what you do, but rather who you are. Your value exists simply because the Father made you and He loves you.

This past week the topic for lectures has been about working with students from “difficult backgrounds.” We’ve been learning about addictive behaviors, dysfunctional families, and the issues that creates in the children and the “roles” they play. We’re supposed to be learning about how to help others, but no family is perfect, so we’re learning about our own issues as well. A few days ago I realized I don’t see myself as the Father sees me. Specifically, I don’t know my own value.

When I was a child my older sister was sick and my younger sister was a baby. Mom and Dad are busy, so be invisible. I wasn’t so good at that when I was really young, but by the time I was a teenager I had perfected my invisibility superpower. I’m pretty sure if you asked the people who were in my Jr High group, they probably don’t even remember that I was there. Part way through my freshmen year of college I got a hair cut. Suddenly people were speaking to me, saying, “you got your hair cut, it looks good.” It was surprising to realize: I exist.

Lately, I see the need for what I know in my head to change the way I see myself. In the past couple weeks (being in Montana for staff training) the Father has been showing me my value, through the people around me and the fact they want to be my friend.

One of the international students kept saying “I want to hear your story”. I figured that was his culture’s way of saying you care. Then day 4 in Montana, while I was studying, he sat down across from me and said, “tell me your story.” So we talked about our families, home countries, what we are doing in life now. – People want to know who I am…weird...

The 2nd week of staff training one of the girls asked if I wanted to go for Ice Cream. I’ve hung out with groups of people, when “everyone” goes to the lake or shopping. I’m not usually specifically invited by someone to go someplace, only if a group is going. So the two of us went to Dairy Queen, ate really good ice cream, talked about our families, life, etc and just got to know each other. – People want to spend time with me…why?

In the past week, a few people have just randomly said to me, “I’m really glad you are here.” I’m glad I am here too, because I am learning so much. I don’t think that’s what they mean. I think they are actually glad I am here. Weird…

I still don’t really see my value, but I’m starting to realize that I do have value and other people see it…