'You Matter to Me!'

Kathy Carlton Willis is a transparent, creative woman  of God. In this UPGRADE Your Worth post, she reminds us to embrace God's imput about our value, not the world's.

"October 7^th is 'You Matter to Me' Day," Kathy says. "Let’s celebrate by taking a look at a woman’s worth and we’ll see just how much we matter to God and each other."

Now I (Dawn) didn't know there is such a thing as "You Matter to Me" Day ... but I can think of all kinds of ways to celebrate that! Can't you?

Kathy continues ...

I’m getting ready for an all-alumni high school reunion next month. I haven’t seen my schoolmates in over thirty years. Definitely not enough time to lose a hundred pounds!

Why do I worry about what others will think about my weight-gain? It’s because I know how petty we humans can be. We notice when other women gain weight rather than paying attention to their hearts smiling. We are cruel to ourselves and to others.

What does God think of that?

God’s been showing me that I matter to Him—that I’m a woman of worth. You are too. If you feel out of touch with who you really are, think of this quote:

“Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?” – Danielle LaPorte

Our Problems:

• Appearance. The world attempts to define us based on how we look and what we do. “A woman’s worth isn’t measured by her outer appearance,” says Jarrid Wilson, “but whether or not her heart is focused on The One who created her.”
• Busy-ness. After appearance, the next way women gain respect and clout is to have a successful career or be the SuperMother envied and resented by other moms on Pinterest. We hold up our to-do lists as proof that we matter. Who are we trying to impress? Others? Or are we trying to convince ourselves that we’re important? What does God think of that?
• Comparisons. We always judge ourselves unfairly when we compare. We think of our worst measured against their best. We can never win that comparison trap! I’m learning not to seek the answer of my worth by comparing myself to others.

What Does the Bible Say?

Proverbs 31 shows us how unique God wants us to be. This virtuous woman has amazing power and influence on others. Her value eclipses her looks. She is worth a great deal to God and to others because of who she is on the inside. Yes, because of that she has wonderful fruit: productivity, hard work ethic, and close-knit relationships.

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:

“'Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!' Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God" (Selections from Proverbs 31, MSG).

Ten Evidences of a Woman’s Worth

1. Confident in Christ
2. Glows with grace
3. Loves and knows God’s Word
4. Close to God through prayer
5. Concerned and compassionate toward others
6. Cares for her family
7. Faithful to God, family and church
8. Pursues good health by being a good caretaker of her body
9. Tends to her resources responsibly, as gifts from God
10. Filled with the fruit of the Spirit

You matter to God and your worth is in Him.

Others matter too, and perhaps they struggle with knowing their worth. Who can you show value by letting her know she matters to God and to you?

Kathy Carlton Willis writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. She shines the light on issues that hold women back and inspires their own lightbulb moments. Almost a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books releasing over the next three years, including Grin with Grace with AMG Publishers. She and her husband/pastor, Russ, live in Texas. Learn more at: www.kathycarltonwillis.com/

Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net