Just as I have not blogged for a long time (except for that post on the immigrant children last week – wow, that kicked up some traffic!), I have not been part of the Five Minute Friday community for awhile. If you are an aspiring writer/blogger, I highly recommend joining. It takes away the pressure of a blank page to just write for 5 minutes without worrying about the outcome. Plus, I find it stirs my soul.

This week’s writing prompt is “If.”

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We all find our value in something. For some it is work. For others it is relationships. For some it is appearance. For others it is money. For some it is others’ opinions. For others it is their own opinion.

Where do you find your value?

When I wrote last week on children at the border, I felt Jesus calling me to do it as sure as I felt myself breath. It was as if he was rolling through my veins and I had a compulsion to do it. But in writing that piece and opening myself up to being misunderstood, judged, dismissed, and even hated (because, yes, we have all seen hate from the extremes of both parties), I had to sink my feet down into the roots of knowing who I am.

It is difficult to stay rooted.

I find that I am a wonderer. I follow my thoughts and imaginations wherever they want to go. I get inspired by one project and easily leave another one behind for another day. It is a life of freedom that I enjoy, but I am often frustrated that I am not getting enough done which leaves me fearful that a) others will judge me b) I won’t show I am valuable by what I do c) I will never “make it” in this world d) God will be disappointed in me.

But what if I let all of that go for awhile and allowed myself to sink into the truth that God loves me no matter what and He wants to guide me in my days? What if I stopped striving and let myself be as the person God has said I am?

His daughter.

His love.

A wonderous creation.

Redeemed.

Whole.

Good enough.

Loved even more.

May you find your center in the truth that God loves you enough to die for you. This in itself seems ridiculous and mysterious to me when I think through the practicalities of such a plan. And yet, when I allow my imagination to stir, allow myself to see as God sees, the perfect parent, creator, counselor, and friend, it is the only thing that makes sense.

You are valued enough to die for. Don’t ever forget it.