February 1, 2026
You Matter!
You matter!
In a world that moves fast and demands much, it’s easy to feel invisible, overlooked, or insignificant. But here is a truth worth pausing for:
You matter.
A former colleague of mine wore a positive message shirt to work one day. On the back of the shirt is a message that reads, “Dear Person Standing Behind Me”. It goes on to explain to this stranger that the world is a better place with them in it. I thought what a wonderful idea that is, and I went out and bought 5 of them! Imagine being in line in a store, and you’re in front of someone who’s had a really rough day. Think about what seeing that message might mean to them. I am also reminded of a time my friends and I traveled down to Myrtle Beach. It was a cold, rainy day. Not at all what you want at the beach. We decided to cook dinner in our Airbnb rather than going out. In the parking lot, we found a checkbook in a puddle of rain. We picked it up and decided to try to contact the owner. Since it had been soaked in water, we could barely make out the last four digits of the phone number on the checks. So, we piled into the car, and we all kept dialing every combination of phone numbers until finally we got the right one! We called and got the owner on the phone. As it turns out, this woman’s husband had died recently. She had just received his ashes in the urn that day. She was having a very difficult time since he died. When she had gotten home that day and realized she had lost her checkbook, things just got that much worse. And this cold, rainy day did not help. You can only imagine the warmth and restoration of joy our simple act brought to this woman. It felt amazing to be a part of that.
You matter not because of what you produce, achieve, or provide—but because you exist. Your thoughts, your emotions, your experiences, and your presence carry value, even on the days when you feel tired, unsure, or unseen. You matter even when you don’t have it all together.
God created you on purpose and with purpose. Take a moment to reflect on Ephesians 1:11. “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counseling of His will.” (English Standard Version) God’s grand plan is your salvation. That you be in heaven with Him, co-heirs to the throne of grace. This is not fabricated; it is predestined. This is not by chance; it is intentional. Why? Because you matter to God.
Sometimes life convinces us that we are only as valuable as our usefulness to others. Yet your worth is not earned; it is inherent. You are not replaceable, and your story is not disposable.
If today feels heavy, let this be a gentle reminder:
Your life has meaning.
Your voice deserves to be heard.
Your well‑being is worth caring for.
Take up space. Ask for help. Rest when you need to. And remember—the world is better because you are in it.
You matter. Always.
