As we go into 2022, let us be intentional about teaching children the power of being who God created them to be. I had a conversation with a reporter who asked me; “What is the most important thing a teacher can teach his or her classroom children?” My response came from a video that I heard several years ago. Teaching children self-worth is one of the most important things we can instill in any child. When they know who they are, they will never let someone else’s opinion of them become their reality. We as leaders and teachers should practice saying the following words below to our students.

You are beautiful. You are Smart. You are funny. You are kind. You are Unique. You are Worthy of Love and Affection. You are never too much, and you are always Enough. You are Precious. You are a diamond, a rose, a pearl the most stunning of all of God’s creation. You are worth more than you could ever imagine. Worth more than the numbers on the scale or the hair product you use or the shoes you wear. More than how many people wish they were you or how many friends wish they had you as a friend. More than the price tags on your clothes, the percentage at the top of your test or even the numbers of followers you have on Instagram. Your worth surpasses all earthly things because in the eyes of the Lord God, you are loved, and you are worth dying for.

Regardless of who you think you are. Whether you model in a magazine or model pottery at an art studio. Whether you’re on the hot list or the not list. Whether you are at the head of your class or a High School dropout. Whether you are popular or you never had anyone you could call a friend. Whether you love yourself and love your life or you can’t stand to look in the mirror and you feel like everything in your life is falling apart. Whether you’re such a winner or feel like the world’s biggest failure. Regardless of who you think you are the reality is you deserve someone who would give up their life for you because you are Powerful and Strong and Capable.

Read about the people in the Bible. Esther, Ruth, Abraham, Job, Martha, Mary, Jesus. These people changed the world forever and inside of you each and every one of you is a young man or young woman with that same power and that same strength and that same world changing capability. This is who you are and any voices in your mind that try to tell you differently are from the enemy and the next time you hear them this is what you say…. You say…. not me Satan I am the daughter or son of the living God cherished, loved and adored above all things by the creator of all things for the Glory of Him who is Greater than all things. I am Awesome and please don’t you forget it.”

Until next time,

Dr. Deborah Tillman
Grace and Peace.