Well, its 3am on Wednesday morning, and for some reason I fell asleep REALLY early last night. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a night owl, usually up until midnight or later. Last night my body just shut down before 8pm. Now I'm wide awake in bed. While laying here I began to ponder and wonder, as I so often do, why am I where I am in life? Why am I so broke all the time? Why dont I have some of the things that many people have? Why such a struggle for us? Why do we live in a house my wife and kids cant stand? The same things that many people ponder over daily. I know its not the Godly way to think, but we're human. We have selfish human thoughts all of our lives. So I decided to open up my devotional and read it. And how perfect is this story: A man tells a story of his wife watching her favorite tv show, "Antiques Road Show". He recalls a woman bringing an old lamp, with a stained glass shade with large lizards etched in the glass. His wife comments, "Thats the most hideous thing I've ever seen? What trailer park did that come from?" But as the appraiser began to look the piece over, inspecting ever so closely every detail, he pulls a cap off the bottom, and there is and engraving, "Tiffany's of New York!" Suddenly the lamp that the world viewed as an ugly old worthless lamp was far more valuable than anyone could've imagined! You see, your worth is not determined by how the world views you, or your house, or any of your "stuff", your worth is determined by who created you, how your "marked", and fulfilling your purpose for which you were created! Psalms 139:14 says "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." We have been made by an amazing, awesome, loving God. We all have a purpose, and are in His plans. His word says His plans are to prosper us, and though I get sidetracked by worldly things in my human imperfection, I try to remind myself of this as often as I can. So as I'm laying here in bed, next to my beautiful wife Sutherland, I hear my 2 girls in the next room sleeping and am reminded of the wonderful gifts God has given me. I have a wife who loves me beyond measure, for reasons I don't understand, 2 girls who I'd do anything for, that can make even the worst days of my life shine, because they are true angels that God has placed in my life. We have a roof over our heads, vehicles to get us around, and I have a job to support us. We have a unbelievable family, friends, and church who all support us. And I have the opportunity, with the help of all of these people, to raise two Godly, world-changing daughters. THAT, my friends, is worth beyond measure! So try to remember, we're all human. Satan will try daily to get you to question yourself, question your worth, test your faith, and bring you down. All of these thoughts you have are Satan trying to get in the way of your happiness. Dont let him in! Tell him no matter how you appear to the world, now matter what you "appear" to be, you know who created you! You know how you're marked, and you know your true worth! No matter what he tries, turn to God. Let your light shine bright, and on your final judgement day, when the ultimate "appraiser" looks you over, the worldly views of your worth wont matter, because God knows your true worth!
"Dear Lord, I pray that you will continue to bless me, and guide me as I walk through my daily life. Remind me that no matter what life throws at me, not matter what Satan tries to destroy, I know who holds my hand. I know who holds tomorrow. I am blessed beyond measure and praise and thank you. In your Son Jesus' name I pray. Amen"
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