Twenty dollars probably doesn’t seem like very much to many people in today’s day and age, but the following motivational story shows how it’s much more valuable than one might think and it’s titled, “The Priceless $20 Lesson”.
A popular speaker started off a seminar by holding up a $20 bill. A crowd of 200 had gathered to hear him speak. He asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” All 200 hands immediately shot up. After seeing this he responded, “I’m going to give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this.” He then crumpled the bill up and asked, “Who still wants it?” He watched as all 200 hands went up again. “Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” He then dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoes and when done, picked it up, and showed the crowd how the bill had become extremely crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?”, he inquired. All the hands raised once more. “My friends, I have just showed you a very important lesson. No matter what I did to this money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. But, many times in our lives, when life crumples us and grinds us into the dirt, when we make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances, we tend to feel so worthless. But no matter what has happened to you or what will happen in your lives, you will never lose your value, just like this $20 didn’t to each of you. You truly are special and valuable no matter what!”
Can you relate to this story? How many times in your life have you actually questioned your worth as well? Personally, I’ve lost count, especially in recent years without having a job, a steady income, decent health, or a stable mental state. Then add in all the terrible things I did during my addiction-laden years and I often find myself making a strong case that I’m not worth much at all. But, in fact, I’m beginning to realize I still am. It’s only my ego and my perception of how I think the world sees me that attempts to tell me otherwise.
Sure, I’ve been through hell and back in this life and made many poor decisions. I’ve hurt myself and others more times than I choose to remember. And the truth is, I spent the better part of several decades thinking more about what I need out of life than what I can give back. But, even in light of all of that, even in the face of all that selfishness I oozed from pore to pore for years, in Christ’s eyes, I believe I was always priceless and special in my own way. Unfortunately, if I listen to my ego, that’s not the case, as it constantly tries to tell me I’m not worth even two pennies in this world. That’s why I’m doing my best nowadays to not listen to my ego and instead think about how Christ would always love me and see me in the same way, no matter what my conditions in life are, just like all those people at that seminar viewed that $20 bill.
So, while each of us may have our share of things in this life we aren’t proud of, that have beat us down, or torn us apart, I feel it’s important to remember that below all of that is a priceless heart and soul and a uniqueness that no one can ever take away. And they are something that will never lose their value. Please remember that the next time you find yourself feeling worthless in life because quite the contrary, you truly are priceless, in both my eyes, and in God’s…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
