"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
Does your child have a specific bedtime routine? Each time that I have the opportunity to put my three-year-old granddaughter to bed, I am amazed by how predictable and consistent the sequence of events, leading up to the actual entrance into her bed remain. However, one extremely important part of this process is that she also has to have her “stuff” right next to her bed. These treasured possessions include: water bottle, toy cell phone, rock, toy truck, and wooden plaque that was gifted to her when she was born. In addition, each evening there is an extremely precious item selected from her collection that is featured and kept under her pillow! Sometimes, the prized item may be a small doll, magic marker, or book.
Imagine my daughter-in-law’s surprise when she woke up my granddaughter one morning and Emilia announced, “I have a ring under my pillow today!” Knowing she didn’t own any rings, my loving daughter-in-law was expecting a pretend ring so she played along and asked to see it. Imagine her shock when Emilia pulled back her pillow and there was my daughter-in-law’s engagement ring!
“Where did you get that?” Courtney quickly inquired, to which Emilia replied, “Off the bathroom counter.” Instantly, Courtney remembered taking off her ring the night before to give the kids their baths, and there it sat, until the local pick-pocketer spotted it!
Courtney asked, “So you just slept all night with my ring under your pillow?”
Emilia explained, “Oh I played with it for a little bit before I put it under my pillow!” We may never know what that statement entailed, but Courtney was thrilled that she still had her wedding ring!
You see, Emilia had no idea the importance or worth of the item that she placed under her pillow.
As Christians, sometimes we forget the worth of things, too.
Each day, God blesses us with so many precious gifts and treasures that we sometimes take for granted until we no longer have them. One eye injury can quickly make us treasure our vision. One difficult medical diagnosis can quickly make us appreciate our health. One unforeseen large expense can quickly make us appreciate our job. One basement flood can quickly make us appreciate insurance. The list can go on and on! Sometimes, like Emilia, we treat these things like a ring that came from the 25 cent gumball machine, when they actually have significant worth!
More importantly, each of us is a priceless creation of our Heavenly Father. We are His masterpieces, designed with individual purposes and intensions. Our value is significant in His eyes. Our worth does not come by who we are, but rather by whose we are! He loved us so much that He was willing to let His One and Only Son die on the cross to take away our sins.
This Lenten season, as we focus on Jesus' journey to cross, may you realize how much the Lord loves you and the great value you have as His beloved child.
In Jesus' Love,
Mrs. Palka