We weren't made to be an extra

NOTE: (Say the following sentence with the best 'Eeyore' voice you can muster)

Oh no........ I am nobody....... and nobody loves me.........woe is me.

Have you ever had days when you felt the sentiment in this sentence? Is it today?

The other day in the waiting room at the hospital and as I waited to be called back, I looked at my shirt and saw the extra buttons attached. (My brother calls me "the observer") Hey, I was bored and watching the procedure progress flatscreen got old real fast.

It occurred to me; I have never used these extras. They just ride along on my shirt. It became clear I have many shirts that carry extra buttons. Then I supposed the millions (probably billions) of shirts around the world that carry the same. Add in all the extra buttons inside the chest pockets of sport coats and one can see the pile of buttons that may never get to serve the purpose for which they were created.

One argument is built on the thought of how many extra buttons 'do' get used. I suppose many buttons are forced into service. I wonder what percentage of shirt owners actually own a needle and thread and would place an extra button in the empty buttonhole? How many shirt owners take their shirts to a tailor to have missing buttons replaced? Then there is the argument that these extra buttons 'are' serving the purpose for which they were made. They are designed to be extras....until they are needed. Poor buttons, they may never get to realize their great potential. (*snicker*)

Not here to talk about seamstress skills or button value, but more so to speak about our value in the eyes of God. You and I are not extras in God's eyes. We are not expendable and invisible. We aren't designed to be extras waiting on the sidelines. In fact, just the opposite is true. God's creative nature makes each of us with special care and precision.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am

fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV)

If you find yourself stuck in a deep pit of despair and can't see any hope or purpose for your life, stop and re-read the text from Psalm 139. You are "fearfully and wonderfully made"! We have the image of God within us and this means something far greater than the narrow view we hold onto. Our situation seems to be a pit of darkness. It's not! Claim the beautiful person God has created you to be and celebrate the love God has for you. It's real! Realize the great potential God has designed for you. (*no snicker here*)

PS: I own a needle and thread and do repair shirts in need of buttons. If you need seamstress

work done, give me a call.