I can’t remember the first time I saw the picture on my mom’s fridge, all I know was that as I stood there looking at it and thinking to myself. Huh… “I am somebody!” As my eyes glazed under the photo I read. “Because God doesn’t make junk!” Junk, to me, that means things we discard or abandon that are useless, or of little value.
Growing up I always felt like I was junk, because I just couldn’t fit-in socially. I was so shy so I couldn’t make friends and I was often judged by the hand-me-down clothes I wore.
However, it wasn’t till I was an adult that I began to understand what my Nanny was trying to teach me all those years ago. Which was to see and place value in others. That no matter how you have been treated by others, you are special in God’s eyes.
Living here in Honduras as a missionary God has continued to teach (remind) me of this very important lesson that my Nanny taught me! Everybody wants to be, and is, someone important! Including the person who might be living on the streets, abandoned by their parents. Like the teen, Bryon, who I met on the streets.
I first meet Bryon about 3 months ago. He had just been released from serving time in jail. He spoke very good English. But it was the spark in his eyes that caught my attention. He was so full of compassion for others. I remember watching as he gave his plate of food to a friend who also lived on the streets. Bryon said, “He needed the food more than I did.” Of course, we made sure that Bryon received another one. As I spoke to him, I noticed a tattoo on his arm. I gently pulled his arm to me to read what it said.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me. (Psalm 27:10)
I asked him why he had that tattoo. He said, “The Lord is always there for me. I am His.” WOW! I said, “Bryon, Jesus wants you to go back to Him. He loves you and yes! He will always take you back.”
As we started to leave the area, I remember giving him a hug. As we started to drive a way I said to Gordon “God is going to use him in a mighty powerful way.” It wasn’t too long after that I heard that Bryon had found a girlfriend and they started going to church. He was happy and found peace with God. He felt special, belonged and loved.
Sometimes the past can still creep up on you when you least expect it to. One night recently, while walking to church with his girlfriend a taxi pulled up to them. The door of the taxi open and Bryon was shoved in the car and it sped off. That night Bryon was killed. And I know that Jesus received him, because he was so special to Him.
I have discovered through being valued myself, by God,
I am able to value others as He does. To tell them and show them, that they are of infinite value to God! They are His creation. And God really, “Doesn’t make any junk!”
