Every One Matters

What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:29 NLT

Yes, I know "everyone" is a normally a compound word, but I separated it on purpose just this once. Every one of us, each person matters to God. Because we are striving to be like Him, people should matter to us too. Certainly our friends and family matter to us. Probably so do the people at church and maybe our co-workers. But what about the cashier in the fast food drive thru or the person who delivers our mail? What about the person who asked for our spare change or the one who cut in front of us in traffic? What about that person who gets on our last nerve, the one we go out of our way to avoid? What about that person whose skin is a different color, the one who speaks a different language - whether down the block or on a differeng continent? Every one matters.

I've run across a couple of interesting efforts in this vein that I want to share. The first one is The Homicide Report, a blog on the Los Angeles Times web site. Check out the story that was broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered to learn more. Secondly, I know someone who gets the Department of Defense news releases via email. When a soldier's death is reported, she searches online, hoping to find a photo of the soldier or an article about him or her. Also, she says a prayer for those the soldier left behind.

Each effort is making note that these lost lives matter. One seeks to make people aware while the other is more personal. I was touched by both. And while I appreciate what is being done, I can't help but think that we must find ways to let people know that they matter while they're still alive. But how do we do that? First, we can pray. This is how we can impact people near and far, individually and collectively. Next, we can be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and willing to follow His lead. While you may be destined for an audience the size of the L. A. Times readership, it may be that the smile you offer someone is just what they need, the first bright spot in their day.

One last thing: be kind to yourself. You matter too. Love others as you love yourself, remember?

Father's Day

Today is supposed to be a happy day. And in a way it is. Though my memories of my dad are few, they are filled with activity and laughter and fun. And so today I thank God for my daddy and the ten years he was in my life. But I can't think about my dad and me without thinking of other dads and children. First is David of course. As little as I recall, he probably remembers less since he was only six years old when daddy died. I hope he has some happy memories as I do. Next I think of Kelly. She was an adult when her dad died, but it saddens her to think of all he is missing in her life as it continues without him here. Then I think of Denise, who knows who her dad is but has no relationship with him. I wonder how often they see each other and what that is like for her. I think of Eric, who met his dad only twice and probably doesn't know or care to know where he is. I think of Lee, who has probably never met her dad and perhaps never will. I think of Mel and the hurtful things done by her dad to their family. I think of Lawrence, whose son died just a few weeks ago. Certainly there are many people whose Father's Day will be happy, and for that I am grateful. But the focus of my thoughts and prayers right now is those who may not have a happy Father's Day.

Keeping with the theme of this blog, where is "God speaking" in all this? First, for those of us who had Godly fathers, I am thankful for them and their influence in our lives, which we feel even if we can't list specific things they taught us. Also, we miss them but we see God's love and faithfulness as He comforts us. As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4: "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." There is God speaking again! He comforts us "so that we can comfort others." So those of us who know what it's like not to have a father should perhaps look around and see what we can do for another who hasn't a father.

God bless those people who step in and become like a father to those who don't have one. Whether it is a relative, a family friend, someone from church, or even someone who starts out as a stranger (e.g. a Big Brother), thank you for these people who see a need and seek to fill it.

Some of our earthly fathers chose not to be a part of our lives; others were taken by circumstances beyond their control. Whatever the reason they are not with us, our heavenly Father is different. He is always with us and always will be. He states it unequivocally in Joshua 1:5: "I will not leave you nor forsake you."

For those who are saved, our sadness should remind us that this world is only temporary. Our true home is in God's eternal presence and that's what we're looking forward to. Romans 8:18 says, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Actually, read through verse 25. Good stuff!

Finally, for those who aren't saved, some of them figure that if a heavenly Father is going to be like their earthly father, they don't need Him. My prayer for them is that they will come to know God the Father, His love, and how much better life is with Him in it.