A $20 For Your Thoughts

By Shaun Robinson on May 21, 2007 6:46 PM
Comments (5)

I know this topic has nothing to do with entertainment news or celebrities, but it is a story that's close to my heart, and I wanted to share it with the readers of AccesHollywood.com today.

My pastor told a story in church that I think we should all remember when we are doubting ourselves or feel that our past mistakes make us unworthy of having God's blessings.

He took out a 20-dollar bill, held it up and asked the congregation who wanted it. As expected, dozens and dozens of people gleefully raised their hands, some shouting, "I do, I do!"

Our pastor then said, "I can't guarantee where this money has been. As you can see, it's not a new bill. It's been around a long time. It could have been used to buy drugs. It may have been used to purchase stolen goods, or even a lap dance. It's old and a little dirty."

Then, he held it up again and said, "Who still wants this 20-dollar bill?"

This time, as many as had raised their hands before and even more, did again.

Our pastor picked one woman out of the congregation and asked her to come up to the altar of the church. When she did, the pastor asked, "Why do you still want this 20-dollar bill when you don't know where it's been. You don't know its past."

The woman said, "Well, it's in a good place now".

In God's eyes, our worth does not change because of the mistakes we have made. The key is to recognize the behavior and make honest efforts to do better.

We are all valuable when we finally get to that "good place".

This reason this story resonated with me is because of my work with girls. Many of those I mentor come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect, and promiscuity. They often believe that who they were yesterday is who they are today.

What I love is seeing these girls finally realize their true value and beauty. Not based on what has happened in the past but how they are positively shaping their future.