Hello from Colorado, where the morning sun is hitting the peaks just right today. Yesterday, my husband and I were talking about how easy it is to look at a beautiful landscape and miss the complex layers beneath the surface. Sometimes life is like that, too. What we see on the outside doesn’t always tell us what is happening underneath.
Today is Monday, August 24, 2026, and my faith is permanently secured in Christ Jesus!
Last week, we stripped away the background noise and asked ourselves what truly deserves our attention. This week, we’re going a little deeper. We’ll explore the “why” behind some of those struggles—why we sometimes accept less than we’re worth, why we let other people and their circumstances consume our peace, and why recognizing our value matters to the life we are building.
Recently, I watched a video about a young African couple who appeared to be working incredibly hard while receiving very little in return. What caught my attention wasn’t simply their circumstances. It was their gratitude for having a house built for them, even though the circumstances surrounding their labor appeared deeply exploitative.
It brought tears to my eyes because it made me think about something much bigger than one couple’s situation.
People can become so accustomed to having little that they can be taught to feel grateful for crumbs.
That’s where the phrase “wooden nickel” came to mind.
A wooden nickel may look like money, but it isn’t real currency. It has the appearance of value without actually possessing the value we were promised.
And unfortunately, people can do the same thing to one another.
Someone can offer you empty promises, temporary security, false appreciation, or just enough to keep you from recognizing what they are taking from you. If you don’t understand your own value, you may eventually become grateful for something that was never enough to begin with.
We see this in workplaces, relationships, families, communities, and even in the way people sometimes view themselves. We give away our time, energy, talents, loyalty, and peace while accepting far less in return than we should.
But eventually, you have to look at what you’ve been handed and ask yourself:
“Is this really worth what I’m giving away?”
Because sometimes what looks like payment is nothing more than a wooden nickel.
And recognizing that is where clarity begins.
Know your value. Don’t mistake something that looks valuable for something that truly is.
Call to Action
Take a moment today and ask yourself: Where in my life have I been accepting less than I’m worth?
What am I giving away—my time, peace, energy, talents, or attention—in exchange for something that isn’t truly valuable?
You don’t have to change everything today. Sometimes recognizing the wooden nickel is the first step toward refusing it.
Scripture
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)
Prayer
Father, help me recognize the difference between what looks valuable and what truly is. Give me the wisdom to recognize when I am accepting less than You have called me to accept.
Teach me to value the time, peace, gifts, relationships, and purpose You have placed in my life. Give me courage to walk away from anything that requires me to exchange something precious for something that has no lasting value.
Remind me that my worth was never determined by another person’s opinion, approval, or willingness to appreciate me.
Help me see myself through Your eyes and walk confidently in the value You have already given me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Spiritual Seal
Until tomorrow, remember this:
You don’t have to accept every offer placed in front of you. Some things may look like payment, security, acceptance, or opportunity—but that doesn’t mean they are worth the price you’re being asked to pay.
Know your worth. Protect your peace. And don’t accept a wooden nickel for something priceless.
I’ll see you tomorrow, right here from Colorado. ❤️
Black Women Have It Going On 
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