How Are You?

How often do we hear "How are you?" And then respond "Fine, how are you?" The "fine" response may truly reflect how you are, but usually it is just a habitual response.  My dad likes to use a couple of different answers, just to liven things up a bit:

"If I were any better, I'd be twins," or "Every day's a good day this side of the dirt."

While I haven't been feeling my best recently, yesterday I pondered my answer to the question How are you? Does anyone want to hear the truth? Or are they asking out of courtesy? And if I just answer the pat response, am I limiting my opportunity to receive needed prayer?

Then, God filled my mind with this:

I am SIGNIFICANT to God. 

 Although my body may not be running at its best, I am still significant to my Creator! He never has to ask How are you, because He already knows! His desire is to make me be the best ME I can be...whether it is with physical limitations or without because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  He knows and cares for every hair on my head (and apparently has decided I have too much hair, since I've been losing it by the handfuls).

I am significant to God!

So if you ask me how I'm doing, don't be surprised if my response is unusual - now, How are YOU?

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV)

 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)