This weekend we went to a small town that we love to visit. Fredericksburg is cozy and relaxing. I did one of my favorite things...spent "forever" in a used bookstore. I love that this bookstore has books that were copy written many, many years ago. Some of these are books that someone either didn't want anymore or they came from some estate sale. As I entered the store, I took in the atmosphere of old, worn books. My favorite are novels and self help but since I had already purchased a Zig Ziglar and Stormie O'Martian book this weekend, I went to the reference section.
There I saw it....a Bible Encyclopedia. It was a thick maroon book and I skimmed through the pages knowing I just had to have it. As if that wasn't enough, I found a matching Bible Commentary. Both books combined were heavier that I care to carry for too long. The books are marked with an index card that states the name, copywrite year, and price so I scanned the entire book for the index card and you guessed it...no card...which means no sale! The owner was not there so the clerk couldn't even ask him. He was on his way back to the store and the clerk did not know the price. In looking at the surrounding books, the average price for a book of that volume was about 35.00. I wanted the book! Worse yet, I wanted them both. The clerk advised me that she could not sell them without a price. I gave her my phone number and left the store like a new mom leaving her newborn behind.
I then told my husband that I was prepared to pay up to 60.00 for the two books. I really wanted them....it was worth it to me to have them in my library. We are beginning a series on the book of Numbers in Bible Study and I just knew these would help me. Within minutes my phone rang-it was the owner with a price. Excited that he called back I was prepared for him to say $75.00 to which I would have to bargain. Instead he asked "How about $10.00 each?" Ten dollars each!!! Wow! What a deal. To someone those books held no value, they gave them away to the bookstore. To me, they held a wealth of information making them very valuable.
How many times do we walk around questioning our worth? No one loves me, I lost my best friend, I'm getting older, I have an empty nest....who would want me? And yet, to God, we are the most valued in all creation. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. To God you are valuable, you hold worth, you have potential and you are loved. How much are you worth? To God....you are worth everything and He was willing to demonstrate that by paying the price for you!
Sparrows are not forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 6-7
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