Is it worth it????

What is it worth?

Growing up I would notice when random pieces of furniture would end up missing around holidays, birthdays, back to school or when things got financially tight but I never thought much of it. I would also notice how my mother was meticulous about our school clothes, church clothes, food and anything that she had to pay for. 

Recently I traveled to speak at conference in Tampa, Florida called FlavorFest. My ride from the airport told me that the area of town was called “suitcase city”. 

We make sacrifices and we stretch ourselves for what we value. 

My driver continued to say that he fully understood the name “suitcase city” when he went into a pawnshop and noticed shoes on several shelves. These weren’t the fancy red bottoms or the ultra exclusive basketball shoes they were every day loafers, pumps, and work boots. The sight of these “regular” shoes made him question the mental space the seller was in to even pawn their shoes…what necessity did they have in order to palm them?

Their need had to be greater than their comfort!

The bible tells a story of two brothers who were at odds from birth. Esau the older brother and Jacob the younger brother. One particular day the oldest brother came home from hunting and was extremely hungry. The younger brother was in the kitchen cooking and when the older brother asked for a bowl of the younger brother’s food – the request was met with a demand. Jacob asked Esau for his rights as the older brother and Esau quickly obliged. The last scripture in that verse stands out to me. It says that Esau despised or had no value for his birthrights.

It is easy to give up what we haven’t earned or what we don’t value.

But when you have gone through something to get what you have – it will take more than a little bit of effort to remove it from your hands.

Some of you all have sacrificed the most for this present moment. The value of playing for a team, working for that company, owning your own business, having a family in this moment has great value. 

DO NOT LET SOMEONE STEAL WHAT YOU HAVE WORKED FOR!

If you value it – KEEP IT. If you value it – PROTECT IT. If you value it – DEMAND RESPECT FOR IT!

My mom valued my brother and I so she sacrificed for us. Those families valued something so they gave up what mattered to them.

What have you given to get here and what will you do to maintain what you consider valuable?

I heard a motivational speaker say, “Easy come – easy go and the opposite.” 

That’s good teaching! Anything that was difficult or took great effort for you to obtain will be difficult for you to release.

Your effort reflects your values. Hold on to what you value!