As pastors’ wives, at times we feel like we aren’t worth much because of all the things that are said or implied about us, or just from the stress of ministry. Therefore, it is easy to forget about our worth to God. I recently read one of Tracy McCarthy’s blogs that was such an encouragement to me on this subject and I believe you will enjoy it as well.
How much are you worth? I mean, really, what’s your value? We live in a society that wants to put a price tag on everything. So what does YOUR price tag say?
Believe it or not, I actually KNOW my price tag. No joke. A couple of months ago I was looking for my birth certificate and I happened to come across the hospital receipt from LaGrange County Hospital dated in July 1972 for my birth on June 26.
I found my value, and you won’t believe it. (Drum roll, please.)
Wait for it…..
Wait for it….
Wait for it…
$180.83
Wow. That kind of took the wind out of my sail.
To put this into perspective, I got braces for the first time in my life just a few years ago, and I can honestly say that as an adult, I never want to go through that again. So I am DEDICATED to wearing my retainers at night on a regular basis.
But last November one of my retainers broke. Well, there was no way that I was NOT going to get another one! The replacement cost? $185.
That’s right, the thing that I put in my mouth every night that tastes totally nasty in the morning is worth more than my very self.
Wait a minute though—isn’t value subjective?
In 2004 there was a 10-year-old piece of a grilled cheese sandwich that many thought bore the picture of the Virgin Mary which sold for $28,000 on eBay. The most I would have given was a piece of paper towel to wrap it up in and throw it away. It’s a piece of old bread and cheese! But to someone else, it held value.
Just this past October there was a cracker that survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic that sold at auction for $22,968. And just a few days earlier a First Class lunch menu also from the Titanic went for $88,000. Now, I AM interested in the story and history of the Titanic, and I would definitely pay money for something that survived its sinking (although probably not that much). In fact, as a side note, I highly recommend the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri. It is by far the best one that we have ever toured.
But I digress.
Value is ALWAYS subjective, meaning that it is dependent on someone’s personal opinions. That’s why we have to be SO careful whose opinions we base our value on. Let’s be honest: Sometimes people in our own lives, who we love, don’t always make us feel very valuable. Our husbands. Our kids. (Don’t even get me started on that one!) Our employers/employees. Our neighbors. Our friends. Our extended family. The list can go on and on.
The funny thing is that those very same people who can make us feel so worthless can also make us feel like a million bucks. Value is ALWAYS subjective, and it is ALWAYS changing.
But there is One. Oh yes, there is One whose value for you is true, and it is constant. It will never change.
You, like King David, can declare, “For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.” (Psalm 139:13-16 HCSB)
“So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.” (Genesis 1:27 HCSB) While you were still hidden from earthly eyes, God created you in His very own image. That alone is priceless.
Yet there IS a price. There IS a value for you. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV) “God bought you for a price; so do not become slaves of people.” (1 Corinthians 7:23 GNT)
The price for YOU is the very blood of Jesus—His own life. Do you realize how incredibly valuable you are! Jesus Himself gave up His life for YOU.
So when you’re having a rough day and feeling kind of worthless, remember that the perfect Appraiser has already looked at you and said, “Oh no, THIS one is not for sale. I’ve already purchased her, and now she is priceless.”
So no matter how you are feeling today, remember He loves you and you are so valuable to Him! We are here to help in any way we can in your journey.
Click here to read the original blog on tracy-mccarty.com
With over 20 years as a pastor’s wife, Tracy openly shares her life–combining humor, raw honesty and a passion for God’s Word to touch today’s women. If you would like to read more of Tracy’s blogs, go to her website at tracy-mccarty.com
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