What am I doing here?

What am I doing here? I can't answer it. But I know you are important. Precious. Loved.

I got some info from http://www.lifeofchrist.com/life/genealogy/women.asp

"Matthew included five women in his genealogy of Christ. This is notable since it was not customary for Jews to include women in their records. The five women were: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. "

Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30) was the daughter-in-law of a man named Judah. Her husband, Judah's son, died, leaving no children.

Judah gave her to his son's brother. By law her offspring would continue the dead son's name and recieve his inheritance.

Tamar's brother-in-law refused to have children with her. God killed him for this. Judah would not give Tamar to any of his other sons, having lost two now.

Tamar, to continue her husband's line, disguised herself as a harlot and seduced Judah. Their child was named Perez, which means "divided".

Rahab ( Joshua 2:1-24 ) was a harlot who lived in Jericho. She hid the spies of Joshua. Because of this, the Israelites spared her life when they conquered Jericho. She later became the wife of Salmon, and the mother of Boaz. Rahab's faith was later commended (Heb 11:30-31).

Ruth ( Ruth 1:1-4:22) was a Moabite. She had married a Jew. Her mother-in-law was Naomi. They journeyed to Israel after all the men in the family died. Ruth would not leave Naomi to travel alone.

While in Israel, Ruth met and married Boaz, one of Naomi's relatives. Ruth later became the mother of Obed, the grandfather of David the King.

Bathsheba ( 2 Samuel 11:1-27 ) was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was a soldier in the army of King David. David wanted her after seeing her one time. He commanded she be brought to him. (Kings get to do that...) He slept with her and got her with child.

David called her husband home from war. When his plan to trick him about the pregnancy wouldn't work, David sent Uriah back into the thick of the battle. sHe also sent secret orders that support should be withdrawn from Uriah when the fighting became fierce. Uriah was killed.

David then took Bathsheba as his own wife. God punished David for this by killing their first child. Bathsheba had another son and called him Solomon, "one who recompenses".

Mary ( Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-56) Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (but try to tell your fiancee' and your neighbors THAT!) When Joseph found she was with child he intended to put her away secretly because this was so shameful.
An angel came to tell Joseph what had happened. Joseph went ahead and took Mary as his wife, (inspite of what "everyone" said about her). Mary later had other sons and daughters by Joseph. (Matthew 13:55-56).

I think the point is that every life has value, always. You may not know what is important about your life while you live it. You can't know what you are doing here, only what you appear to be doing....and things are not always what they seem.

What you think is important about your life may not be the real gift you leave the world. You may build a hospital or write a book. That's good. But it may be one who reads the book that changes the world. It may be years after you are passed over to the other side that your life's importance is discovered.

No matter your situation, you can still contribute more love and joy to the world by teaching one more person to love and share love with others. By doing what is important to you, you contribute to the future.

Tamar never knew she was an ancestor to the man who would change the world. She seduced her father in law to keep her husband's name alive. She wanted children and a family.

Rahab never knew, either. She was "just a whore" and probably never expected to marry, much less have children and a caring husband.

Ruth was looking out for her mother in law, supporting her and herself. They were only destitute, grieving widows. But she found love again and is also one of Jesus' ancestors.

Mary was like any teen aged girl suddenly with child. She bore the shame. Many would not have believed in the virgin birth until her son was in his thirties and began his ministry of miracles. 33 years of scorn she may have endured. Why? What point in living when "everyone says" you cheated on your man....

Whatever you think of yourself, whatever you think society says you are, you are a person who loves.

God loves you just the way you are, just where you are standing, whatever you are doing.
So when it's hard, when it's lonely, when your heart is filled with grief, comfort yourself with the knowing that you have a value - you love.