As I write this, my ninety-three year old grandmother lies in a hospital bed at her home on hospice with a caregiver, while here, my almost six month old grandson resists his nap. Ninety-three years between them. Five generations. One life fading and another blossoming. Admittedly, it is a challenge to sit here and not tear up as I think about my grandmother with whom I’ve been so close with all my life, recalling so many treasured moments with her. But now, even as I face losing her, I look forward to being to my own grandchildren what she was to me and I find myself contemplative. What makes one’s life valuable? Fame? Fortune? College Degrees? A billion followers on social media?
The Span Of A Life
My grandmother worked in a tailors shop when she was young. It was there that she met my grandfather. Once they were married, she devoted her life to her family. That was her work. She never received an award for her seventy plus years of service. No honorary mention in any public arenas for outstanding achievements. The value of her life isn’t tied up in accolades but rather the impact she made in other’s lives. She lived a life of sacrifice for her loved ones, even caring for her aging mother until she passed away at ninety-six years old, seventeen years ago. Do you ever wonder about the value of your own life or question if you’ve made such an impact on another’s life? I know I have.
To Love Is To Value
Value is not something that we can give or take away. For example, I cannot make the value of a quarter more or less than what it is. And so it is with you! You have value that no one can reduce or increase! How do I know this? In the Gospel of Luke, we read; “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7 NIV). Here we see just how valuable we are to God, the Creator of all the universe and all that is within it. He values us so much he counts the hairs on our heads! He doesn’t value us for anything we do, for saying all the right things or even for doing all the right things, (as if any of us could!) but rather because he loves each of us. Just as I am sure that you, like me, have people in your life that you value. Not for what they can give you, do for you or for what they accomplish, but you value them because you love them. And isn’t that what is most significant? “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).
The Life Of Value
My grandmother has no fame, fortune, college degrees or any followers on social media. Neither does my grandson. Yet, their lives are of great value to me (and others) because I love them. As I stand in the middle of the two, her grandchild, his grandmother, I pray my life has been one of value to my grandmother and that it will be to my grandchildren. I was blessed to be able to let her know when we visited her a few weeks ago (she lives about 300 miles away from us) to tell her how very much she meant to me and she was grateful to hear that. So, let me encourage you today to be intentional about seeking those moments to treasure with those whom you value, let them know just how much they mean to you and love them well.
Thank you for allowing me to share with you! I pray this has encouraged you or inspired you in some way to love, tell others how much they mean to you and to know you are loved and valued by your Creator!
Moments To Treasure 