What are you worth?

Sometimes inspiration comes from unlikely sources.  This morning, one paper on my very messy desk caught my attention.  It was the Notice of Value, sent to inform me about what the county believes my home and property are worth.  I understand for tax purposes, you want that valuation to be reasonably low.  However, when you picture your home, and everything that it means to you, chances are your personal assessment of that same number causes you to think it's shockingly low.

What if every year the Country Assessor mailed out a Notice of Value for you?  You would be assessed annually and assigned a value for your physically body and the space you occupy.  You'd of course get credit for things like being a Veteran, the Family Exemption, and perhaps even the charitable or educational exemptions.  Once all the numbers are plugged in, you'd be left with your Net Value.  Would you want to know that number, or would you be outraged at the very idea of someone putting a price tag on your "worth"?

I've got some good news for you.  There is no assessor on earth who would be qualified to report that number.  The only One who can has already declared your value, and it's good news!  You are worth dying for. (Yeah, I just threw in a Jesus Juke.)

But, if we're still just imagining, would your personal Net Worth increase each year?  Have you contributed more, invested more purposefully, given more freely and loved more liberally this year than last? Is the space you occupy a place where people want to hang out?  Did you earn your "Family Exemption" through devoted relationship, or do you simply get credit for being a parent?

I know we have unfathomable value in God's eyes, which is awesome!  Yet, I do want to be purposeful in contributing meaningful value to the people around me.  At the core of each of us, isn't that the question that we all want answered: "Do I matter (to you)?"

But, we can never be responsible for the actions or reactions of another person.  Many times, our investment into the lives of someone will fall flat, and they simply won't reciprocate.  But, your contribution toward their "net worth" automatically increases your own (if you don't allow yourself to become angry or bitter).

Perhaps this last year you've found yourself a little hesitant in the relationship department.  You've been hurt in the past, and you don't want to expose yourself to new or continued pain.  That's understandable.  Let me encourage you to try again. (This is in NO way an encouragement to continue in an abusive relationship).  When you approach another, and invest into the life of another, with no expectations, you've begun the process of enriching your own life.

Investment of time and effort into your physical well being is beneficial as well.  Exercise, food choices and adequate sleep do indeed effect the "value" of your body.  If you've gotten a (imaginary) low valuation on your physical body, determine to get moving and make some changes.  

So, even though that personal Notice of Value isn't going to show up in your mailbox, keep tabs on that figure.  Let each passing year surpass the figure of the last.   By the time you reach your final year, ensure you've made such an impact, that others in your "neighborhood" are beneficiaries of increased worth simply for being near you.