The stuff we collect in life is just that…stuff.

We don’t get to take it with us when we go, and when we’re gone the people we love are usually left to figure out what to do with it all.

I heard a story recently that stopped me in my tracks.

Lois Jurgen lives in Nebraska and just turned 91. Like a lot of people her age, she’s been thinking about tying up loose ends – especially deciding what to do with stuff she’s had for decades that might not mean much to anyone else.

One of those things was a massive pottery crock that had been sitting on her back porch for around 40 years. It had been in the family forever, but it was so heavy she couldn’t move it, and she had no idea what it was really worth. She figured maybe she’d put it in a yard sale…if she could even get it off the porch.

Photo Courtesy of Bramer Auction and Realty

Lois found out that a local company was hosting an auction specifically for that type of pottery and asked the auctioneer to come evaluate the piece. She hoped maybe the crock would fetch a hundred dollars at auction.

The auctioneer, Ken Bramer, told her that she might be surprised by what it would bring…and he was right!

The 30 gallon crock was produced by the Red Wing Stoneware company, likely sometime in the late 1800’s, and would have been used for food storage. Lois and her family had used it for all kinds of things in the meantime, including adding a wooden top to form a makeshift table next to the backyard grill.

The day of the auction, January 10, happened to be Lois’ 91st birthday but she couldn’t attend because she was volunteering at church. When Lois and her daughter finally arrived at the auction, Ken Bramer brought her to the front of the room and said he had news about her crock.

Lois asked, “Did we get our hundred dollars?”

Turns out, that old pottery jar sold for $32,000.

There was a bidding war between collectors who recognized its history and markings and knew it had real value. Lois was so shocked that her knees started to buckle and they had to help her sit down. Quite a 91^st birthday gift!

Photo of Lois Jurgens next to her large stoneware crock - Photo Courtesy of Bramer Auction and Realty

Here’s why that story stuck with me.

If you’ve ever looked at yourself and wondered whether you really matter… if you’ve ever questioned your value… maybe you’re just looking with the wrong set of eyes.

Lois saw an old jar taking up space. Collectors saw something priceless.

And when God looks at you, He doesn’t see someone ordinary or disposable. He sees someone He loves deeply – someone worth sending His Son for. Scripture reminds us again and again that God created you on purpose, with purpose.

One of my favorite verses says that we are God’s handiwork.

You may not always see the value.

But He does.