…Because your existence can stop me in my tracks.
…When kids grow up wanting to be you.
…When you make someone laugh so hard that whatever they’re drinking comes out of their mouth.
…When you are still willing to come back and give everything you have to accomplish your dreams even when people have stolen from you.
…When you’re the reason people are doing something outside of themselves.
…When you add to the essence of another.
…When you put a spice of herb matter on another’s dream or life.
…When you’re walking down the street at anytime and you smile.
…When you’re 15 and you matter to Arianna.
…When a mother of 3 can take time to be more than just her children’s mother.
…When a mother of 3 can take her children on adventures.
…When you can bring happiness in times of sadness.
…When you’re willing to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and none of it was for the promise of a price.
…When you expose a secret for everyone to hear.
…When you overcome your fears.
…When your bouquet of flowers can turn around the way she first thought of you.
…When you can say, “I will always be there for you.”
…When you can annoy a woman so much that she’ll marry you.
…When you do things without being asked.
…You matter!
…When you say, “I love you,” three times for your uncle to hear.
…When you’re a seven year old and can get a blanket and pillow for a sleepy girl.
…When you can do art for others.
…When nothing on the planet can kill your joy.
…When your laughter is so contagious that other people can’t help but join in.
…When you’re driving in the car and can spit laughing.
…When you have a voice that is joyful in the morning.
…When you wake up in the morning with a Judo Chop.
…When you don’t drink alcohol and can make very good sangria (and take a sip of it).
…When you can be a modern day knight in shining armor and save damsels in distress who missed their train.
…When you have a 25th anniversary.
…When it seems like everyone is against you.
…When you fly halfway around the world to play against Spanish soccer players.
…When you come halfway around the world, meet someone on a bus, ride a bike to give them a CD, and invite them to a party.
…When you use your art form to improve someone’s self-esteem.
…When you’re 20 and every word that comes out of your mouth can make others’ jaws drop because of your wisdom.
…When you can dream a dream against all odds and hand it to your wife to lead.
…When you’re willing to leave your loved one to give your children an experience.
…When you quit everything you’ve spent months building to help your mom.
…When you’re willing to leave an incredible work that is flourishing and needs you, not knowing where you’re going.
…When you cut and restyle half the Edgie’s hair.
…When you’re pretty lazy but fun to wrestle with.
…When you’re willing to send your wife and three children to an overseas experience.
…When you’re the first to raise your hand when someone needs a helping hand.
…When you can become a strong, independent woman despite what your father has taught you.
…When you can grasp priceless moments through pictures.
…When you can bring out the artist in others.
…When you start a “You Matter” conversation not expecting much conversation, but starts a flow of “you matters’ that affect everyone and lasts for an hour.
…When young women can make an older woman make her want to be better for her daughter.
…When you get so excited about something you jump around and make high pitched noises.
…When you can get your heart broken and lose your self-esteem, but have enough courage to swim to an island in the middle of the night.
…When you’re 72 and have the heart of an 18yr old.
…When you come willing to be open to the Lord’s work and to others praying for you.
…When you go to the otherside of the world to make your mom’s dream come true.
…When you never thought that you mattered.
…When you can come empty, broken, and insecure, leave your mother who has dementia, and just serve.
…When you’re a barbarian.
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“It won’t be a problem for him to tell his 7 kids he’s going to Crete, it will be telling his congregation he has to be gone for a week.” – Ray about Sean.
“Take home who you’ve become and who you discovered you could be. People need you to be that one that encourages. TAKE THAT RISK! To reach out to people who don’t look like they’re feeling it and tell them that they matter.”
“The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I have come so they may have life and have it to the full.” – Jesus
