I have always made a point of telling my kids how special and loved they are. When my daughter was 3 years old, I was reminding her of these things when she looked at me and confidently said, “Yes, I know. Jesus took me out of His treasure box and gave me to you.”

I don’t know where she got the idea of Jesus having a treasure box, but it made an impression on me. Somehow, I can picture Jesus reaching into this gold-encrusted chest and drawing out a baby. I can imagine Him gently cradling that child before extending His creation to the world, a precious treasure fashioned in His image.

“Jesus took you out of His treasure box and gave you to me,” I recently told my daughter, kissing the top of her head.

“Aw, Mom,” she groaned, feigning embarrassment. Now that she’s a sophisticated 9-year-old, my daughter doesn’t like me to mention things she said when she was so young. Still, a hint of a smile told me she still likes the thought as much as I do.

Each person I encounter is someone for whom Jesus died.

It’s easy to view my own children as treasures. Such sentiments naturally flow from the heart of a mom. But as I look around, I need the Holy Spirit to remind me I’m surrounded by God’s treasure.

We live in a world that constantly devalues people. Our culture measures an individual’s worth on superficial scales of wealth, physical appearance, accomplishments, intellect and influence. Even Christians are sometimes guilty of viewing others — and themselves — as hopeless or insignificant.

But God is not like us. In His sight, every human being on this planet is a precious individual created in His image, designed and chosen to enjoy a relationship with Him. Each person I encounter — from the greatest to the least — is someone for whom Jesus died.

It took the insight of a 3-year-old to remind me Jesus took us all out of His treasure box and placed us together in this world. I can’t help but think how sad Jesus must feel when He finds His treasure rejected, trampled down, tossed aside and marred by sin. I believe Jesus is looking for treasure hunters to help Him pick up the scattered, tarnished pieces so He can make them beautiful again.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

From all of us at Influence, we wish you a blessed and joyous Mother’s Day.

This article originally appeared in a 2008 blog post published by the Pentecostal Evangel.