The Value of People

I've re-read Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller the last few days. I've had a plethora of down time at work and I can breeze through a book in 3 days there. I usually don't re-read books because I feel as though I'm waisting time or something and I should read something different, but because of this new found time to read I have been reading 2 books a week at least. I have decided to go back and read some of my favorites again. Don makes everyone in Portland sound like incredibly smart human beings and he makes me want to go to school. In reality I know that not everyone in Portland is incredibly intelligent, but even when he talks about the homeless people that he speaks with he makes them sound so deep and introspective. I've honestly never had a deep and introspective conversation with a homeless person but maybe this just means I should get out more.

The point is that he puts value on everyone he talks about. Putting value on people and making them feel very appreciated is something I've always wanted to do. I have a friend named Tim and when we first met I was always amazed at how he would introduce me to people and brag on them and make them feel like they were very accomplished even if they weren't.

I don't value people like I should and I do not boost people like my friends Tim and Don do. (Yes, Donald Miller is my friend...in my mind.) Something so simple can make life change, it can change the very atmosphere around you and change someones lives.

When Tim first met me, I was in a bad place. I didn't feel valued or loved or Godly for that matter. Tim boosted me so high that it literally changed my year and the year after that. I still think of him very fondly when I think of the words he spoke that were so very simple but exactly what I needed to hear.

Jesus, I pray you would teach me to value people. Teach me, Lord to speak only things that build people up and not words that cut or bring people down.