"Nussin, I Said"

For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and

wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:13,14

There were little banterings between my husband and our children when they were very little even when we could barely make sense of their speech. Brian had certain questions he would jokingly ask each one when they were quite young. Our son, Johnny, usually had unique answers to most things. Often Brian would ask him, “What are you good for?”...Johnny would reply, “Nussin.” Brian would try again asking, “What are you good for?” The second time, Johnny would reply, “Nussin, I said” and that was usually the end of that conversation.

It always tickled me hearing Johnny's response to his dad's question. Johnny was always very serious in his reply even though he didn't really know the meaning of what he was saying. The sad thing to me is that I have known people who have felt that they aren't really worth much in the whole scope of life, let alone in God's plans. When growing up, it wasn't unusual to hear someone say of another, “He's good for nothing.” Bottom line is that no one walking the face of this earth whether past, present or future can be labeled “good for nothing.” Every human being born has purpose in God's plans.

We live in a day when folks are often judged unfairly. People are sometimes judged by the clothes they wear, the car they drive, the expensive watches, the cell phone they talk on or the latest toys and trinkets. They may go to bed at night laying on an expensive mattress between the finest satin sheets but who lay in the dark in the depths of despair. Unfortunately, it's often folks with all of those things who find the least satisfaction in life.

For years I have loved Psalm 139. There is no way Christians can read and take in that Psalm and walk away feeling their lives are an absolute waste. We are of the greatest value to God. We as individuals are precious to Him. I am going to take that word “we” out of the equation and firmly state that I am of the utmost value in His sight. I will recognize that you may feel the same on an individual basis but for now I choose to concentrate on the individual uniqueness I am to God. For many years, I guess because of some past issues, I couldn't be so bold in declaring how special I was to God. I didn't see how I could be. I'm so grateful for His consistency in ministering to me personally to the point of almost feeling that I am even a favorite of His. I realize that you can say the same of yourself even though we know that God has no pets.

For example, I have a dear friend in our former church, the present music minister. His name is Fred. I have known him for years even in a prior church. He has ministered to my children in time past but am grateful for the few years he could also minister in my own life. Fred is outgoing, super positive unless he has to crack down on the choir to get things done and is one of the godliest Christian gentlemen I have known. Fred dearly loves those who work under him whether on his staff or in the various music programs of the church. Fred always greets a person with a warm smile, some kidding words and sometimes an appropriate hug. Fred has helped me to understand something special about God and how special we are to Him. Fred has a way of making everyone feel like he is their best friend. In all reality, we friends of Fred know we all can't be Fred's best friend. However, through Fred I've come to understand more about my relationship with God and that's the fact that God is my best friend. God loves me, deals with me, teaches me and fathers me as if I am the only child He has. That's just how special I am to Him and you can say the same.

There's just no way to describe how important you and I are to God. Psalm 139 states clearly God's care and love for us. If we ever feel lost, forsaken, spiritually down or whatever negative things we feel in the course of daily living, a thorough reading of this Psalm will lift us to the very heights of joy and will give us such a sense of purpose, for instance:

You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5

I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more
in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalm 139:17,18

Read that Psalm sometime and you will see just how much God loves you. You and I are more precious to God than we can imagine. We aren't going to know the depth of that love unless we stay in God's Word where we will find the full assurance of His love and care for us. I believe at every turn, Satan wants to cause us to question our worth to God.

Thank You Father for loving me and for being my all in all. It is such an honor being Your child. There is just no one else who can mean to me what You do. Thank You for being You. I love You with all my heart....Amen