God defines our worth, and no amount of damage can make Him love us less.   ~~~   If you happen to be a thrifter, what is every thrifters dream? Finding something worth way more than what you had to spend to get it. That’s part of what keeps thrifters searching for treasures at yard sales, thrift shops and consignment stores. I LOVE thrift shopping. I don’t have to be looking for anything specific, but I am searching in a way for a diamond in the rough. I’m looking for something valuable that has been hidden away, forgotten, thrown out or put on a shelf. What if something is valuable to me but it’s not to you? Your trash could be my treasure. What gives something value? There are actually four categories that effect the value of something. They are: usable value, rare value, aesthetic value, and emotional value. If you find something you can actually use, it has usable value. Rare value simply means there is a limited supply and therefore something is more valuable. Rare gemstones and diamonds fall into this category. Aesthetic value applies to art and beauty. We give high value to beautiful things. Emotional value comes from our emotional attachment to things. This is where I get easily stuck. Memories and emotional attachments can be powerful. That’s also why brand marketing works so well. Luxury brands sell emotions and status just as much as they sell products. High value comes when something falls into all four of those categories. It’s usable, rare, beautiful and full of emotional connection. Have you forgotten your value? You have high value my friend. If this world or anyone has told you different, you need to be reminded of what is true. God wants to use you for His glory and purpose. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You are beautiful, just as you are. Matthew 6:28-29 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. You are one of a kind, uniquely created, rare and beautiful. Psalm 139:13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. You are deeply loved by God and nothing can separate you from that love. 1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. See, you hit all the categories and even more when it comes to your worth and value. Don’t thrift yourself away. God defines your worth, not this world. Nothing you do, nothing you wear, nothing you accomplish or acquire can make Him love you more. And on that note, nothing can make Him love you any less. He simply wants you to accept that love and know how valuable you are in His sight. If life has you battered, scarred and maybe put on a shelf somewhere in the dark, allow the light of God’s grace to give you a new home and wash you clean. He makes all things new and your value to Him is priceless. That’s the truth. Don’t forget your worth. You are a treasure. I’m Lori Cline.