Priceless

I went to this concert a few weeks ago. It was Winter Jam. It comes every year with ten artist for ten dollars. This was the first year I got to experience the phenomenon of Winter Jam. Ten Christian artists; Ten dollars; Rate is a ten. I had an amazing time and I look forward to going next year. It was defiantly worth my ten dollars. I had no idea what I was getting into when I handed my ten dollar bill to the smiling lady at the door. I had hopes of what it would be like but I had no idea that it would leave me thinking about something for the next weeks to come.
Many people know about the horrors of human trafficking. My brother feels very strongly about it. I first heard about it when I was eleven. My older sister took us to a informational get together, where they really just gave us more information about the sex trade that human trafficking is. I, needless to say was terrified. I had no idea girls my very age were being taken from their family's, sold as animals and then raped and beaten. Once they were taken it became their life. I used to walk confidently alone in Walmart and now a cowered behind my sister. Looking for anything safe to hold on to. Now that I'm older I don't fear it so much. But that doesn't mean it's not happening. I think the only reason I don't fear it now is because I know God is protecting me. I was blessed to live in the country where we try to keep girls safe from that. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen here. Because it does. There is no doubt about that. I believe in the protection of my God so I do not fear. But what about those girls who don't have that? What about the ones who are part of the sex trade? The ones who don't have any hope anymore?
"Every woman and girl is priceless!" One of the guys from for King and Country said at Winter Jam. I didn't know how much this simple, but incredibly powerful, phrase would do to my day in, day out, life. At the end of the show a friend bought me one of their priceless necklaces. They explained that these necklaces stood for the fact that every woman is priceless. I really wanted to be a part of that, and my friend saw that, so she kindly bought it for me. I wear the necklace around my neck every day. I have only not had it on one day since I got it. That was only because I put it on my night stand and forgot to put it back on. I feel it every day. When ever I move, it moves. Reminding me that it's there. Reminding me that every woman and girl is priceless. It's just a simple one cent coin form Australia, with a for King and Country symbol next to it. It's nothing fancy, but it means a lot.
A friend and I were tousling around one day and he said something about how I was worth as much as free. When he said it I felt the necklace heavy next to my heart. I got really irritated at him for what he said. I knew he didn't mean it but he said it. He apologized over and over again but I couldn't forgive him. He had the same necklace hanging around his neck. He was standing for the same thing, yet he dared to let those words come out of his mouth. I knew he didn't mean it but he still said it. We happened to be outside of church when he said it. We were pushing each other around as we were walking into the building. We always do that. I went through all of service, refusing to forgive him. At the end of the service we were preparing to take communion. I knew that I didn't dare take communion with out forgiving him and making amends. I got up out of my seat, my necklace moving when I moved, and sat down next to him. We discussed what had happened, made amends and took communion together. We moved on. He didn't mean it so  I forgave him. While he was apologizing to me over and over he leaned up close to me and said "I didn't mean it! You really are priceless." That is really the part that has stuck with me. I have never been told that I was worthless, but I also have never been told I was priceless. I am priceless. So are you. Every person is. But what about those girls who are never told that they truly are priceless, but instead are sold for a price. No person should ever be able to be sold, because no can pay the price for them. The only person who can is Jesus. And he did do just that. Every person who was, is or will be created was paid for with a very high price. The price of perfect human blood. We could never pay our own price, but or maker paid it for us. He paid it for me; He paid it for you; He paid it even for the hopeless girl who is sold over and over again for sex. The price he paid was his own life. Even if we gave our own lives it still wouldn't be enough. His life is perfect, our lives are flawed. But he died once for all. He paid the price for every one. Making it so that every girl, every boy, every woman and every man, is priceless.
Ever time I move, and feel that necklace on my skin, I think of all the priceless girls who may never be told the truth of who priceless they really are. This post is for them because they are priceless!!