It Matters, Because You Matter



It was a cold December afternoon many years ago, when a group of parents stood in the lobby of a nursery school waiting to pick up their children after the last pre-Christmas session. As the kids ran from their lockers, each one carried in his hands a surprise wrapped in bright Christmas paper - a gift for their parents each child in the class had spent weeks crafting with their own hands .



One small boy was so excited he could hardly slow down. He opened the locker, reached in and then was trying to run, put on his coat, and wave to his parents all at the same time. So he lost his balance, slipped and fell. The surprise flew from his grasp and before anyone could move, landed on the tile floor with an obvious ceramic crash.



The little boy just stared in shock. He raced over to the package and shook it, and could hear the pieces clash against each other. Tears began to flow, then a whimper, and finally he cried out loud in big sobs, each followed by a gasp for air.



His father, not really knowing what to do, but thinking he could lessen the hurt, patted his son's head and murmured "It's okay. It really doesn't matter, son. It doesn't matter at all."



But the child's mother rushed over, dropped to her knees on the floor, swept the boy into her arms and said "I know it was beautiful. I am so sorry." And she wept with her son.



Mom was a lot more in tune with the way God works.



You may think no one cares.



Someone may have told you that what you are going through shouldn't bother you so much. After all, it happens to people all the time.



Friend, it matters to God. Because you matter. The writer of Proverbs lets us know God is aware.



Psalm 56:8 (Msg)

You've kept track of my every toss and turn

through the sleepless nights,

Each tear entered in your ledger,

each ache written in your book.



Not only is He aware, but He's taking the things that hurt, that wound, and not just patting us on the head and telling us that "Life's tough, you'll get over it", but He's entering into our pain, and working it all together for good. He won't waste one experience, or forget one tear.



Wherever you are today and whatever faces you - call on God. Because you matter.



Grace!



David



This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.