June 2010 - You are Special

Tonight we are going to take an ordinary ceramic plate or mug and make it special for someone. We might paint on it “Happy Birthday” or “You are Special.” We may put someone’s name on it so they can feel important and special. This is one of my favourite crafts because it does make others feel special. Just yesterday Austin enjoyed three meals on his “Happy Birthday” plate. It made me feel great serving his meals on the special plate. I always look forward to bringing it out for someone’s birthday.
          As mums, aunts, daughters, wives, we do a pretty good job of making others feel special. I believe God wired that nurturing role in all of us. We like to bring out the fine china for guests, send flowers to a sick friend, and decorate for parties. But I wonder how many of us don’t feel very special? I know that I’ve had my days of feeling far from special. We work so hard to make things special for others but we may feel taken for granted sometimes. I would like to take the next few minutes to encourage you and hopefully help you realise just how very special you are—even when we don’t think anyone cares or appreciates what we’ve been doing.
          Many years ago there lived a man who was very special. He lived a perfect life and taught us how we should live. But, He was not treated very special at all. He never had a home to call His own and His own friends left Him at the most traumatic times in His life. He was made fun of, beaten and even tortured to death undeservedly. Yes, this man was Jesus. Why did He come and why did He suffer so much? He did all that because of you – because you are special to Him. The Bible says in Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. In Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
          There is no doubt God loves you and wants a relationship with you. Paul says Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He later added in Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God thinks you are very special. He knew you when you were in your mother’s womb. He loved you enough to allow His only son to go through unimaginable pain that you may have a home in Heaven one day. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. If you have been the only person on earth Jesus would have died just for you. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He wants a relationship with you. He has a purpose for your life if you will just allow Him in. Seek to find that purpose. I promise—you won’t be disappointed. He will give you everything you need to fulfil His purpose for your life. Romans 8:28 says, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
          I hope as you paint your plates and coffee mugs tonight you will think about how precious you are to God and think about His love for you. Don’t let the world or someone else make you believe otherwise. The world will disappoint you -- others will let you down. Some may even purposefully try to hurt you. But God is there for you. I heard someone say one time, “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.” He thinks you are great! You have to believe that because you ARE special 

Some other plate ideas.