Everglades Extravaganza: He Knows Your Need

Everglades Extravaganza: 

He Knows Your Need    

Jessica Sunday 

Hey, everyone! Meet Kristie! Does her smile not light up this gift shop at the Everglades Holiday Park center?  Less than a week ago, I had the privilege of meeting this wonderful woman. As you can tell, this photo was taken after the brief period of heavy downpour. This awesome introduction happened when my neighbors and I walked into this gift shop to purchase our airboat tour tickets which included: 1-hour in the Everglades, 2 photos, and a gator show with the Paul Bedard from the TV show Gator Boys. We were pumped for this adventure to come! This is when I met Kristie. 

Before I walked in, she spotted me from the parking lot anticipating my arrival. Her countenance lifted when she thought her sister Kelly was on her way to greet her with coffee and some blueberry muffins as a pick-me-up. Okay, so the coffee and muffins were a bit exaggerated, but a lady can wish, right? As I was waiting to purchase my tickets, she looked up and proceeded to say, Hey, I just wanted to tell you that you just made my entire day. I was having a bad day and then you came in. I thought you were my sister Kelly. When she is around, I light up. Your smile made my day, thank you. You look like her!  I was taken back by what she said. I said thank you, and proceeded to tell her that that is how I feel when I see my best friend Kelly. It was neat how the conversation went. 

I then proceeded to go on the airboat tour with my neighbors, and did we have a great time! When we were on the airboat in the the middle of the Everglades, I could not get her out of my head. I knew God was telling me, Jess, you need to get out of your comfort zone, and  you need to get a photo with her when you get back. I did not lead you into her life for no reason. I knew her need ,so I sent you. 

Think about that for a second. I knew her need, so I sent you. How convicting! Jesus knows our needs before we know our needs. He does not leave us empty handed... EVER! It may not be in the exact way we thought our need would be met, but He uses those around us to fulfill His ultimate purpose in our lives to glorify His Son. That day was one of those days. He saw Kristie's need for encouragement, a smile, a hug, and a kind word, and He chose me to be a vessel for His use. I say that humbly because God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose. You do not have to have it all together to be able to encourage someone having a rough day. 

Actually, this is for free, if you are ever having a bad day, go do something for someone. This takes your mind off of your own problems and focuses your attention on the needs of others. With that being said, it is okay not to be okay. If you are having a bad day, claim it. Seek someone to talk to. Pray or even ask for prayer if praying is not your style. Someone will cover you whether that means prayerfully,  financially, materially, or timely. Make your need known. Who knows, you may be placed in someone's life sporadically this week with the opportunity to meet their need. Will you step up to meet the need or will you stay in your comfort zone? Nothing exciting ever came from living in the comfort zone. 

So, go buy that bogo coffee to share with someone. Go give that extra hug, smile, and word of encouragement. Treat others as if everyone is having the worst day of their lives because you never know what someone is dealing with inside. Just like people can look as if they are living the dream life, bodies of water in Florida could look nice and calm, but it could contain a gator. The moral is to be conscientious in how you approach people, and praise God she thought I was an approachable person. Now, go love on some people! 

"...For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ..."

Matthew 6:8 

Know Your Worth

Know Your Worth

Jessica Sunday

"Know your worth!," is a phrase many of us have spoken to the ones that are closest to us. It is often used when a friend may be talking to someone who you know would not be good for your friend. It is used in breakups or as a general word of encouragement. I could not help but gaze at this photo before I realized that the woman on this bus is a prime example of worth. We have all rode on the bus of "low self worth." It is a bus I have been  on and a bus I sometimes still catch a ride on here and there. Let me tell you, you never get what you pay for when you get on this bus. I can encourage all the people in the world to know their worth, but if I cannot know my own worth, I speak in vain. Likewise, you can tell all your friends and family to know their worth, but if you do not know yours, what's the purpose? 

The only reflection starring back at you is yourself not anybody else. We need to look our reflection in the mirror and say, "I know my worth today. I am worth more than I can ever imagine. I am not defined by anyone's views of me. I am created with a divine purpose. I stand confident in the woman or man I am becoming. I am worth it!" No more starring at your reflection trying to be somebody else's reflection of what you think worth is, beauty is, fun is, attractive is, success is, or acceptable is. The only reflection you are is a direct reflection of yourself not your parents, not your professors, not your friends, or your family, They may have influenced you in great ways in the man or woman you are becoming, but your reflection is made up of decisions, places, and circumstances you have made, been, and have been through in life. 

So, here is to embracing who you are: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Each of these categories do not hinge on your worth though. Many struggle with thinking they are less than worth it on their ugly days, but that could not be further from the God-fearing truth. If you are struggling to find your worth, here is something that will blow your mind. 

Jesus knew your worth before you could ever fathom knowing it. He proved your worth when He was nailed to the cross and died for you. Jesus thought you were worth dying for. Ponder that for awhile, and it will blow you away. 

Takeaways: 

• You were worth dying for.
• Don't stare at your reflection so hard that you try to be somebody else's reflection - that's impossible!
• If you do not know your own worth, how can you expect somebody else to know theirs? 
• Your ugly days do not hinge on your worth. 
• On the days you are struggling to claim your worth, Jesus already claimed it at the cross. 

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

John 15:16