You Matter So Very Much

When my daughter, Piper, was a little girl, I'd often give her choices -- what color sippy cup she'd like, what book she would like to read, whether she'd like to color or play with play dough... And she'd answer, "I don't matter." What she was really saying was, "It doesn't matter, Mommy. You choose." But, I'd put the books aside and pull this precious one into my lap and tell her, "Piper, you do matter. You matter so very much."And so do you. You matter. You have work to do. You matter so very much.  The Israelites needed this message too. Down in the valley, an army of warriors gathered. They were fierce and confident while the Israelites were still shaking off the shackles of slavery. Moses called a young man, Joshua, to his side and said, "Joshua, you choose the men who will fight with you. And then tomorrow, you lead them into battle. I'll be standing on this hilltop with the staff of God in my hand."Joshua did just as Moses told him. He chose a ragtag band of ex-slaves.. And then they went sword to sword with the Amalekites. When the swords began to clash, Moses stood on the hilltop with two men, Aaron and Hur, at his side.As the battle raged, Moses lifted the staff of God above his head.  When his arms were held high, the Israelites gained ground. But when his arms drooped, the enemy began to overwhelm them.As the day wore on, Moses grew tired. First Aaron and Hur gave him a stone to sit on. But that didn't take care of the weariness in his arms. Aaron and Hur knew that victory was connected with Moses holding the staff of God high about his head. And so, when his arms arms grew too heavy, Aaron and Hur held them up.Each one had a job to do. Each one mattered.  So (Moses') hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword (Exodus 18:12-13, ESV)That day Moses' job was to intercede. Aaron and Hur provided support. Joshua led the troops. And a ragtag band of Israelites fought the battle. Together, they one the victory.Each one did his part. Each one mattered. I'm engaged in a cause to bring real hope to orphans and vulnerable children. This cause is a battle. A battle of epic proportion. With 153 million orphans in the world ...  each one matters. You matter.  Whether your work is to be down in the valley fighting on the frontlines, or up on the hilltop interceding, or supporting the work of others ... you matter. 

You matter so very much.

Next steps:

Assess your time, talent and treasure. What resources do you have to offer? What education and experiences can you bring to the table? What gifts do you have that you'd like to see used to help orphans and vulnerable children?

Contact me at cfinley@cindyfinley.com to talk about how your time, talent, and treasure can make a difference with RiverCross.

Share this post with 10 friends who share your heart for orphans and vulnerable children  so that they can join us in this cause.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you don't matter, that what you have to offer is too small. That you are inadequate, or that your past has rendered you useless. You have work to do. You matter! You matter so very much! 

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