Have you ever received a compliment you’ve never forgotten? They’re the kind that come in and land softly in your heart, to be pulled out and remembered in all the moments you’re doubting yourself or need a little flutter of encouragement. They’re special, especially if your love language is words of affirmation like myself. For over a decade, my “best compliment ever received” came from someone taken from this world too soon, making it all the more special.
In month six of my race, I was given a new “best compliment ever received,” by my then-teammate and one of my best friends, Danielle. However, the best part about this compliment is I believe it’s true for you, too.
In a sweet, thoughtful, handwritten note, she told me “I learn so much from you just by being around you and who you are.”
Cue the tears. I’ll cherish those words forever.
At our house in Argentina, we had a ramshackle rooftop that, if you were careful enough, you could walk across to find a stunning view of the front range of the Andes. It was a place ideal for some quiet time, journaling, or worship. More than once you could find various members of our team perched up there at sunset, with a guitar or cajon or just their voices, worshipping the One who painted that sunset and breathed those mountains into existence.
On our last night, our hosts held a small “going-away gathering” for us. It started out a little uncomfortably, as we realized many of the people filing into the small schoolroom we had never seen before. Naturally, I didn’t know what was going on as the only language being spoken in the room was spanish. Soon, everyone began giving short speeches about us and our time in Las Heras. An older woman whom we didn’t recognize stood up to speak, and it wasn’t long before she had tears in her eyes as she told us how much she learned from us.
She said she learned so much about the Lord just from the way she saw and heard us worshipping Him, up on that roof, in awe of the mountains. We didn’t think anybody noticed. Why would we? We were hidden on a roof in the backyard. We didn’t really know this woman and probably had never had a conversation with her. Still, God was working. She saw us up there, day after day, appreciating the range that has stood behind her all these years, and suddenly she saw it with fresh eyes. She saw us worshipping with abandon, and suddenly the Creator was made new to her, too.
We didn’t have to change anything, or do anything differently. She learned from us just because of who we are. She learned from us because we were living our lives fully out of who God created us to be.
Danielle told me that she learned so much from me just be being around me; just because of who I was. I don’t think I believed her entirely until I noticed for myself the sweet little moments where it was true. I need you to hear me when I say this: it’s true for you too.
YOU have things this world needs to learn, and people can and will and do learn from you just because of who you are. I know this because when I think about all the special people in my life, I can think of specific things that they have all implicitly taught me. Every single one of them.
Aside from that, the Bible tells us its true: “For the body does not consist of one member but of many…If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” (1 Corinthians 12:14-18, emphasis mine.)
He arranged you. He chose to put you where you are, with the gifts you have (because you ARE gifted), SO THAT you could teach the world around you and let your light shine. You are not valuable because you have a college degree or can speak 3 languages or bake a mean soufflé or drive a manual. You don’t lack value if you aren’t any of those things. You are valuable because you exist. You have value because Jesus paid the price for you.
I learn so much from you (YES, YOU) just because of who you are:
…because you are a mountain-mover.
…because you are a dream-chaser.
…because you are an adventure-seeker.
…because you are a risk-taker.
…because you are the light and the salt.
…because you are strong and courageous and a force to be reckoned with.
…because you are chosen.
If I could hand-write each one of you a note telling you these truths, I would. The world needs to learn from you. You have an infinite amount to offer, and you’re truly the only one for the job. Believe it. Store it away in those times you too may be doubting your purpose or value or worth. Take it. It’s a compliment.
