How to calculate value

A week and a half ago, I was in a minor car accident in our family van, Bertha. (Yes, like all good vans, she has a name.) Since then, we have been waiting to hear from the insurance company as to their valuation.  We finally got word that they were going to treat the van as a total loss because the amount to fix it was greater than it’s worth.

When we told the kids, they were outraged!  How could the insurance company come to such a conclusion?  I explained the factors of age, and wear and tear of the vehicle in determining the status, but the kids were not fully satisfied.  When they think of the van, they remember when we first got her and the excitement involved; it had a tv and headphones.  They remember all the miles traveled for family vacations, trips to the zoo, and exploring new neighborhoods.  They remember the long time spent sitting on the highway as we evacuated our home because of a hurricane.  They remember having to drug our dog to ride in the van as we moved across the country because she hated the car.  Some of them remember their fear as they drove her for the first time.  We have had her for eleven years now so she’s part of the family.  And to them, she is worth whatever it takes to make her whole.

So how do you measure worth? 

For a van that’s been in an accident, you look to other comparable vans; vans of the same age and same equipment.  For houses, you look at upgrades and the selling price of similar houses.  The problem enters in when I try to do the same with people.  I look to others who may be of the same age, social status, or gender and compare.  Do I measure up?  Do I have the same value?

As a writer, I can get caught in the comparison trap very easily.  Do I get the same number of likes and comments?  Do I have as many followers?  Is my writing really as good as hers?

I have to tell you, I lose every time I play that game.  I can always find someone who writes better, gets more likes and comments, and has more followers.  Following that logic, I will never have great value.  So I think it’s time to use a different criteria.  Instead of looking to others, I’ll look to God.

He says I’m fearfully and wonderfully made.  He says I’m His child.  He says He takes great delight in me.  He says I’m of great worth…

PS.  We are going to take the settlement and fix Bertha.  To do otherwise, would cause a mutiny.  Besides, she’s a member of the family and we don’t give up on family no matter how old and battered they become!