When you’re a parent, the greatest learning opportunities often come at the most inopportune times. I experienced one of these moments in the gift wrap aisle at our local Dollar Store.
We’d stopped off to pick up a couple of things. Walking inside, our children ran off in different directions. My husband, Paul, followed me around as I gathered what I needed. By the time we made our way to the gift wrap aisle children were buzzing around us once again. Our youngest was quiet. At eight-years-old, Samuel normally was a handful-of-chatter. While deciding on a bag of birthday balloons I asked, “Samuel, you’re awful quiet today son. Is everything okay?”
He looked up at me, “How much does a foster kid cost?”
I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. “How much does what cost?”
“How much does a foster kid cost?” He repeated. “My new friend in class is a foster kid. He doesn’t have a family. Do we have enough money to buy him?”
Words caught in my throat. Thankfully, my husband Paul was quick to respond. “Well, I’m not sure if we do son. But, have you even thought this through Samuel? If you had someone living with us your age you would have to share your room.”
“I don’t care about that Dad. I feel bad he doesn’t have a family and he wants one.”
Finding my voice, I asked, “So, how much do you think your friend costs?”
“He doesn’t know Mom. He said he thinks he’s free, but he’s going to ask his foster family tonight. He’s going to meet me tomorrow at lunch to tell me how much he’s worth.”
Samuel’s words stopped me cold. He’s going to meet me tomorrow at lunch and tell me how much he’s worth.
That was all it took. On came the water-works, crying right there in the middle of the gift wrap aisle. My husband distracted our son while I stepped away to search for a tissue in my purse. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my son’s new friend was trying to figure out what he was worth.
As a foster child, his loss highlighted the value of family. His greatest desire was to belong to someone who would love him. So much so, for the sake of being loved, he was more than willing to hand his life over to the lowest bidder.
I understand there are many factors that come into play to make someone question their own value. But it didn’t stop the questions from pressing heavy upon me. Why doesn’t this child know what he’s worth? God, this child is no different than so many adults I know. How can people not understand their value? Should I be the one to tell him he is fearfully and wonderfully made? Lord, who will tell him You have a plan for his life?
With the economic climate today, it’s no surprise people struggle with their own self-worth. The loss of a job, the loss of a marriage or a home are all things we think define our value in this world. Peripheral status quo we are tricked to believe makes a difference to our carbon footprint on this earth.
Do you realize how precious you are to the Lord? He says you are the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8), that your worth is far above rubies (Proverb 31:10), that He even knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7).
Your value in God’s eyes makes the Hope Diamond look like a gum ball trinket.
So, what are you really worth? It’s the creator or owner of a thing that determines its value, marking the price and deciding its worth. Our value is in the hands of our creator. We were created by Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16) Paul reminds us in 1Corinthians 6:20 and again in 1Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought with a price.”
The redeeming love of Christ paid our eternal ransom. Heavenly currency personally handed over by the blood-stained hands of Jesus to His Father, for your very soul.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Redeeming love is the theme of Heaven. When you reach the upper realms, your most important memory will not be that you were wealthy or poor in this life, nor the fact that you sickened and died, but that you were “bought with a price.””
Yet, daily, people are being spiritually rocked to sleep, believing the lies of the world. You aren’t special. Your life really isn’t all that important. Nobody loves you. Either unaware or not understanding that God marked our price on Calvary. And because of that blessed day God sees us through holy spectacles of His only son’s worth. What kind of love is this? A love beyond measure.
If we struggle to understand our worth it’s because we don’t understand Christ’s worth.
When I recall the look on my son’s face, when he asked how much his friend cost I ache. What pain the Lord must feel when we treat our lives as worthless or of little value.
I made a phone call to this young boy’s foster parents when we got back from the store. I introduced myself and set up a time to let our boys play together. Days later, amidst slides and swings, I shared with my new friend her foster son’s struggle to understand his worth. Her eyes welled up with tears.
“He’s such a sweet boy. And, he’s really taken to our family. We haven’t told him yet, but we’re moving forward with his adoption.”
Adoption—the quintessential definition of value. Hand-picked by someone to love you forever.
Are you one of those people who need a remedial lesson to understand your value or worth? Or is God’s Word enough? The next time you attempt to put a price tag on your life–for what it’s worth, you’re worth more.
Oh my goodness… I kinda can’t type – my eyes are toooo blurred over with tears.
Thank you for sharing this. Somehow this is what I needed today.
That makes me so happy, Sherry. I need this lesson quite a bit, myself. xo
WOW, I have no words. Just tears. I so have not grasped my worth.
Barbie, so happy this blessed you!
Wow – I so needed to read this today! Teary eyed, I just wanted to adopt this boy and then add what a remarkable little boy your son is to have such feelings and such heart! And then the icing on the cake was your main message of worth and how I needed to hear that. Thank you.
Sharon, I’m so grateful! God is so good.
Awwwww… I love Samuel! What a kind, sweet and tender son you have. And, love you, too, friend. This post is powerful and inspirational and wonderful and so you.
Beautiful post! We all need to hear this again and again!
Thanks Gerry. I so agree!
Now I’m crying. I’m so glad this young man has found a family. If not, I was heading your way to pick him up. Wow… I can’t even get my emotions around this one. Thanks for sharing this story with your readers. Love you, friend.
peace~elaine
Love you friend! xo
Oh, Joanne. I’m speechless. This was beautiful. Thank you, thank you for sharing these truths!
Blessings,
Carol 🙂
Thank you for your sweet words, Carol. They mean alot to me.
Boo hoo!! This story really gripped me. So glad to hear that boy will have a permanent home!
Terri, I know, isn’t it the sweetest story? God is faithful. Thanks Terri!
Aww, Joanne. You made me cry. This story speaks loudly about our worth.
Your son is precious, just like his momma. What a heart of love and compassion! Give him a hug from Colorado.
I am so thankful God gave you this experience in the dollar store. He knew He could trust you to share it to help others see truth. It’s powerful and life-giving. I hope you continue to share this story in future talks and books.
What an ending. 🙂 A new beginning, adoption. Thank You, thank You, God!!
Sure wish we lived closer. I need face to face friends like you.
Love and miss you bunches.
Tiff
Miss you bunches too, Tiff. Why didn’t I let you drive a whole hour to come up and see me when I was in CO. last year? It seemed like way too much to ask of you then. I wish I had. xox
Hey Joanne, I was kinda embarrassed to be reading this story at first, you know, it’s probably written with a female audience in mind. No way will I tell my buddies about the quarter size tears splashing off my glasses, because I am strong, I am Man. Ya right. Beautiful story of your family, and of our Beautiful Maker. Thank you.
Murray, now you’re making me cry. Thank you for the tender comment.
Murray! CRY on! CRY on! The manliest of MEN can cry! You are showing that you are human with a pulse and heart! 🙂
Oh Joanne,
So touching. So powerful. Thank you. Love you and miss you.
very rarely am i rendered speechless like without a word to say in response to topics. this post has me all choked up!!!! Thank You for SHARING! Kissing, Hugging and LOVING my family even more after reading this. I can’t even imagine what this little boy is going through!!!!
==========
***I feel bad he doesn’t have a family and he wants one.”
Finding my voice, I asked, “So, how much do you think your friend costs?”
“He doesn’t know Mom. He said he thinks he’s free, but he’s going to ask his foster family tonight. He’s going to meet me tomorrow at lunch to tell me how much he’s worth.”***
Beautiful words of worth from my favorite author.
Actually… he probably is free. If you would like to contact Erin Dutton in Sacramento she has listing for many teens that have lost hope waiting for forever families. Sierra forever families will pay the entire cost of your adoption, which is around $600 and already tax deductible. So cost is not really the worry, we are able… it is whether or not we are willing. Her email is edutton@sierraff.org.
Love, love, love!!!
Reminds me of the scripture:
“For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!”
~ Romans 8:15 AMP
LOVE that one, Karla!
Tis was breathtaking. What a lesson to learn. I don’t really have the words, just thank you for this. Absolutely moving. God bless you.
Thank you Kris!
Thank you for this wonderful story. John 3:16 proves we are all highly favored–not just Mary, Jesus’ earthly mom. The best part is when we give birth to Jesus in someone’s heart as you did Samuel’s new mom.
Thanks Sue!
There’s such depth and beauty to the things you see and write, Joanne. Your son sees the way you see. What a gift. Thanks for sharing it. Love you!
Thanks my friend! You have the same gift. ;O)
Stunning! Thank you for the gift of your message. I will pray that this child understands his worth & that the adoption goes thru.
Joanne, as an adopted kid myself this story really touched my heart. Thanks so much for sharing!
This is so beautiful written, Joanne.
Yes, we often forget how valuable we are to God and sometimes we need reminders like your story.
Thank you.
Thanks Iris. I am so grateful for your servants heart and your words. Blessings friend.
I appear to be a few years behind in seeing this. What a story. I was adopted myself and have always had major self esteem issues. I was told when I was about 12 that if my own parents didn’t want me when I was born, that I could forget about ever having a girlfriend or wife to want me. It breaks my heart to see kids without permanent homes. So glad this story has a happy ending. Count me as another man brought to serious tears by this story.
Mark, yes it’s been awhile since I posted this but you obviously understand there’s no statute of limitations on a kind word. Your story brings tears to my eyes, yet you have the gift of encouragement and bless others, still. Praying you know Jesus well.
Once again, your timing is perfect JoJo. I haven’t kept up with these readings and this has me in tears. I’m feeling heartily sorry for myself today and came to FB to deactivate my account and was led here.