Our Personal Value

Have you ever stood in a crowded room of people, looked around, and felt completely insignificant? I certainly have. In fact it's something I struggle with all the time.

Sometimes caught up in the "who's doing what" or "who's wearing what" or "who does what" thoughts of group thinking, I give in to the dark thoughts that I might not have any value. I think it's something that every human being faces at some time or another.

And that made me wonder . . . do we realize our own divine potential or have we lost it in the hubbub of life's coming and goings?

I wanted to be a mother so much even before I was married. I thought about, I planned it, I dreamed about. And then I became it. And guess what? I wasn't very good at it. My talents shine best when I have an outline of the "do's and do not's" and frankly, they didn't hand out a "How-To" manual at the hospital when they released my son and I. I was frightened. I was confused. And I was alone (or so I thought). And all my dreams of being the perfect mother went right out the door. It took me a very long time to realize that although my vision of what motherhood should be wasn't my own reality, I still had value as a mother.

When Joey was most sick, we still wanted him to be at home as much as possible. That meant that I had to learn to administer shots, change IV's, take his blood pressure, and guage his temperature. I literally became a nurse overnight. And it wasn't a few times a day. It was such a stringent schedule, that I had to create an Excel spreadsheet to track all of my duties. We had it down to the minute so that we could make him as comfortable as possible. It was so obvious to see that I was needed, and that he counted on me to make him feel better.

Sometimes our value isn't so obvious. Sometimes our talents seem hidden or lacking or even nonexistent. But we are so VERY valuable and ABSOLUTELY necessary!!

It might be the short conversation with the lonely neighbor, or the peek-a-boo to the fussy baby in the grocery line, or the opening of the door for someone laden with packages. Small acts of kindness remind us of our worth.

We've all been on the receiving end of kindness and we KNOW how much it has meant to be recognized and loved and uplifted. I sometimes forget to say "thank you" when someone has helped me. I hate that. I hope those sweet individuals know how much they have helped me.

This weekend I drove down to Vegas for a convention. On the way down my taillight popped off and was banging against the side of my minivan. I pulled off on the busy, mountain roadway to try and reinstall it. I am no mechanic, and I was struggling a bit with how to put things back together. A large truck pulled up behind me and two men jumped out. One seemed to be the father of the younger one. "Need some help?" they asked. And although it might have been a dangerous situation, I instantly felt peace and knew that they were truly there to help me. "Yes," I breathed in relief. Those kind men, put my light back on, taped it into place and watched until I was safely back on the road. And although I thanked them profusely, I wonder if they know that I prayed all the way to Vegas in their behalf for their kind act?!

I know the Lord can perform miracles, but I also know that sometimes He sends His own human angels to do His work. We are His children, and we cannot underestimate His need for us.

You have value. Your life has meaning, and you ARE significant. I need to remind myself of this more often!

11 comments

  1. Jen,

    I cannot tell you how much I needed your post today. I often walk into a room and feel like I am the least valuable person in the room for any variety of reasons. Thank you for the reminder that I should already know, but often forget, that I am a child of God and he has given me talents, even if I don't always know what they are.

    Thank you so much for your sweet spirit.

    Desi

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  2. Jen,

    I too needed to be reminded of this today and I really needed it, so thank you for being my angel today :)

    corinnexxx

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  3. Jen, this is something I need to be reminded of and often. I found a really great talk at the website for the BYU Alumni magazine called "Personal Ministry" by Bonnie D. Parkin. It's on this exact subject and I found it to be very inspiring and uplifting. I still don't know what my personal ministry is, but it gives me hope to know that I have one!

    I love your posts, and I think of you & your family often. :)

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  4. Anonymous5:24 PM

    your post are always so thought provoking jen. wonderful post.

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  5. I truly look forward to your posts, they are always so inspiring to me. Thank you for reminding me of my worth (we are always the hardest on ourselves) and for helping me remember to help others because I truly feel of the most value in my service to others! I am so glad I discovered your blog, its such a bright spot in my days when you share!

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  6. Oh girl... you KNOW that I love reading what you post. everything you say is so meanigful and profound. You always put things so eloquently. Thanks for always making me feel better. I am truly touched by you and your example.
    Love ya girl!!! :)

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  7. Jen,

    Seriously... thank you. I'm going thru a rough patch in my life right now and your post is just what i needed.

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  8. You are amazing! Thank you for sharing these thoughts that we always should remember but we don't. You are an angel to many!

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing this and for the reminder!

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  10. Such an uplifting post, Jen. Thank you!!!

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  11. wow Jen, what a wonderful reminder...thank you so much and God Bless!!
    Wendy
    Wendy Malichio:-)

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