You Matter and You Are Loved!

The Texas winds are blowing with gusto which means the leaves are giving way to the pull. Perhaps you see yourself as one of those leaves that has seen its best days and is in a downward spiral -- no longer feeling like you matter and no one notices you or even cares about you. This photo is just two of us that were standing on a Frisco street corner to remind people that they matter -- and my sign said why -- because we can make a difference in other people's lives by being a light. A lady drove up to us in tears and said, "Oh, I wish my mother had seen your signs. She committed suicide because she didn't realize she mattered." We may think we don't matter -- but, what if we realized that we CAN matter to someone who thinks they don't matter! We’re entering into the most wonderful time of the year – or, at least we hope so. Many may be already dreading the holidays because it means they are alone, and they just can’t help but feel discouraged and forgotten. I’ve said it before and it’s worthy of a repeat. We matter! Jesus was the greatest "You matter" evangelist. Blind beggar Bartimaeus mattered enough for Jesus to stop and heal him. (Mark 10:46-52) The woman caught in the act of adultery and about to be stoned, mattered so much that He saved her life and sent away her accusers (John 8:1-11). And there's Jairus’ child who died. Death could not stop Jesus from healing her because Jairus and the little girl mattered. (Mark 5:21-43) Peter denied even knowing Jesus, but the greatest display of "You matter" was when Jesus forgave Him. (Matthew 16:18) Jesus’ ultimate act of showing us we matter, was when He laid down His life for us. The underlying truth is…..WE MATTER! Why does it matter? Because it matters to our Creator. He planned each of us individually and uniquely. He knows everything about us. We're His hand-designed treasures and He thinks about us all the time -- so shouldn't we think about others in a way that God uses us to tell them how special and beautiful they are? After all, they're our sisters and our brothers in this royal family of God. I can't explain it in mere words, but God sure can! And, if you happen to be someone who believes that unborn children don't really matter either, please read and ponder how He masterfully and lovingly planned and created us from our mothers' wombs. PLEASE take these words by the Psalmist and let them convince you that we all MATTER! "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away, you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!" Psalm 139:1-5; 13-18 Capital letters here to shout out loud and clear – YOU ARE LOVED and YOU MATTER!