Everyone Wants To Feel Valued

People need to feel like they are valued. They need to know that someone else finds them valuable. Everyone wants to be wanted and needed on some level. Everyone wants to be a blessing to someone else yet they also want to be delighted in and loved on by others.

I wonder if a lot of the depression, low self esteem, and insecurities in people arise from the very basic and simple reason that they do not feel valued? I wonder if they started to feel worthwhile, invested in, and truly cared for by those around them…if some of those issues would lighten or disappear altogether?

It is so easy for us to get caught up in our own lives. We get wrapped up in the details of our own problems, concerns, and small little social circles. But what if God opened our eyes a little bit? Or a lot? What would we see? Would we realize that those within our social circle have needs that are unmet? Would we see that all the “fun” we have together has covered up more serious needs and hurts? And what about those outside of our social circle? Those people we casually smile and chat with from time to time and somehow have overlooked as someone who could be a very real and vital part of our lives? Have we somehow been blinded to a need or hurt that they may have that no one is addressing?

We live in a very real, hurting world. People are increasingly feeling isolated from others. Sometimes by choice – sometimes not. But the fact remains that the stresses, hurts, mistakes, losses, and tragedies of life are weighing on us heavily. A lot of times we lock that up, put a smile on our face and try to act like all is well. We don’t engage one another in the deeper stuff for fear of the reaction we may get.

People need people. Yes, they also need God. But God put people here to be there for each other in a very tangible, daily way. He put us here to take up the needs and hurts of one another. He put us here to encourage and support each other. He put us here to love on one another.

When was the last time you felt loved? When was the last time you felt valued by someone else? When was the last time someone told you something about yourself that made you feel better about the kind of person you are?

Busyness. Hectic schedules. Family commitments. The demands of our life often can overshadow one of the basic needs that we need to be giving each other…love.

Take a few minutes today to send some emails to people in your life that you don’t often lavish love upon. Maybe it’s that faithful volunteer at your child’s school or that person at church who has such a servant’s heart and is always doing what needs to be done. Whomever it is, let them know they are appreciated – valued – and loved. I guarantee you that they need to hear it.

Get Ready For Battle

The world is out to get your family.

Do you think those are strong words?  They are strong, yet they are also true.  Moms can’t just sit back anymore.  We need to be knowledgeable about what is going on in the world because its influence won’t stop at our front doors.

Sex and pornography are aimed right at your son and husband.  It comes at them unashamedly through the Internet, e-mail, cell phones, movies, video games, and television. 

Sex is also being aimed at your daughter.  She is being told that she is only valuable if she dresses a certain way, looks a certain way, and acts a certain way.

Materialism, violence, self-esteem, values, and morals are all on the battleground and society is not afraid to take them on. And you need to be careful, because if you aren’t aware of the pitfalls and influences…you too, can fall prey to its clutches.

The best protection you can give your family is knowledge and awareness. Don’t try to avoid sensitive subjects but discuss them.  Talk to your kids about prowlers on the Internet and the images they see or read about.  Explain your decisions.  Watch what your kids watch and keep the lines of communication open with your husband about his temptations.

It’s a tough world out there but we give it far too much power at times. Put the power into your family’s hands with God at the helm.  And you’ll win the battle.

You Have Strengthened Feeble Hands

Job 4:3

Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.

I want you to rejoice today, knowing what powerful influence you have.  Every word, every action a mother does somehow is soaked in by her children.  Through your instruction, a new generation emerges ready to impact the world!

It Takes a Village

There is so much attention given to the influence and impact that parents have on their children.  A little less attention is given to the influence of our child’s friendships.  But, how much attention or focus is given to the influence that OUR friendships can have on our children?

You don’t need to be a single mom to desire trustworthy adults who can be positive role models in your children’s lives.  Our children need as many reinforcements in their lives as possible!

If you see friendships developing between your friends and your children, cultivate that.  Allow your friends to personally invest in your kids’ lives and to be trusted confidants, if need be. 

We all want our children to be able to come to us and talk to us about anything.  But if they really don’t want to or don’t feel comfortable to come to us about something – wouldn’t we rather they confide in a dear friend who can give them wise advice, than a peer of their own?

Surround your children with good examples of honest, Godly, integrity-filled adults.  Rely on your friends to be supportive of your role as the parent and to back you up when your child needs to hear advice from a different angle or perspective.

It’s important and vital to understand you won’t be the only influence on your child’s life.  So make solid friendships with reputable men and women – because they will be helping you raise your children.

Being a Child Again

The great thing about being a mom is that you have an excuse to listen to all those fun kid CD’s and tapes that your children adore.  I have found myself still listening to their music sometimes after I’ve already dropped them off at school!  Can you relate?

One day as I was listening to one of these children’s CD’s; the thought struck me that more people should partake of a child’s world in this way.  So many of the books, CD’s and even basic school lessons or rules that are taught to our children are centered around morals and values.  In my daughter’s preschool class they had a saying that went something like, “you get what you get, so don’t throw a fit!”  In other words, be content and thankful for what you have!  Now how many parents do you see getting upset because their child is on the bench instead of playing in the game – or any number of other situations that upset them?

Somehow a lot of us seem to lose these core principles as we grow up and we forget our manners.  We need to hear simple truths like these more often:

*Be nice

*You are special

*Jesus Loves You

*Share

*Tell the truth

*Forgive

It may sound silly, but if we act like children; maybe we should treat ourselves like children!  Maybe we need to listen to those kid tapes and books instead of just reading

them to our child.  We need to remind ourselves that we should forgive that woman who cut in front of us in the grocery line.  When we feel left out of the mom’s “circle” at school, it would be good for us to hear that we are still special.

Values and ethics aren’t just taught to children so they can outgrow them.  Principles of character should be instilled in us for a lifetime.

So pay attention to the lessons your child is being taught and remind yourself that all those little sayings and “morals of the story”… apply to you as well.

Company Comfort

There is something so warm and caring about being embraced in someone else's home. So many little touches can accomplish that goal and make your visitors feel welcomed in your home.

Consider the following ideas and implement one, two or all of them for your company.

~Leave a little piece of chocolate on bed pillows.

~Put a vase of fresh flowers in the room where your company will be staying.

~Put together a small basket of bath necessities including a disposable razor, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner and lotion.

~Stock the fridge with cold beverages.

~Give a little "prize" to children who come and visit you.

~Place a welcome sign on your garage or by your front door.

~Leave a goodie plate or tray on a main kitchen or coffee table.

~Sneak a card in their bag or suitcase letting your visitor know how much you enjoyed their visit.

~Light the room your guest will be staying in with candles and spray a soothing scent around.

~Place a pitcher and a couple of glasses near the bed of cold ice water.

~Lay a couple of magazines or books on a bedside table.

~Have your company sign your guest book.

It All Matters

A little encouragement for you today - no matter what you're doing or where God has placed you - remember it all matters.