Reason #127
I had my first ever garage sale today. I have finally accumulated enough junk to sell. I've been going through the closets in my house trying to decide what to keep and what to part with. I find it so interesting that I felt each of these items desireable enough to purchase at one time, wear, display, use, and then one day they were put in a closet to collect dust. No longer desired, no longer useful, no longer the right size or shape. Replaced by new things. So last night, my parents came over and we set up shop. I went around and tried to determine how much each thing was worth. Even though I didn't want to keep these items anymore, I also wanted to make sure that they were given a price deemed worthy of their estimated value. Now, I have quite the memory when it comes to numbers and dollar signs, so I could tell you how much I initally paid for each item I was selling. I tried to factor in the original price, the length of time I owned it, the wear and tear of the item, and the possible potential left in the item. As I placed little price tags on each thing, I hoped that someone would want it. I hoped that someone would be willing to pay the price for it and take it home to use. I hoped that someone would walk in and see what a bargain they were getting. I wanted the garage-sale shoppers to know that they were finding some good treasures. Lucky people, they were!
So after a late outing last night, I came home and as I walked through my garage I noticed it smelled different. Normally, my garage smells like dirt and gasoline,but last night the smells of my things filled the garage. Treasures once purchased and brought home with joy were now set out at a discount for anyone's taking. One man's trash is another man's treasure. The time was drawing near for the items to go to a new home. Items that were no longer of use to me, items taking up space, were now made available for someone else to use, proudly display, wear. And maybe those shoppers would boast to their friends about how they found this unique treasure for an incredible bargain.
This is life, human nature. We accumulate, get new things, do new things, try new things. And after time, these new things depreciate in our eyes. But initially we were excited about the newness. We just had to have it! Maybe we saved up for it, admired it every time we passed by, shopped around to get the best price for it. And we bring it home, care for it, use it, and appreciate it. But time changes all things. Wear and tear happens, styles change, needs change, desires change. Then, we see another new shiney thing. Something that's better. An improvement. So the new thing becomes the old thing when the newest thing is now in our possession. The newly appointed old thing is shoved in a box, put in a closet, stuck in a drawer only to be forgotten until we finally decide to purge. Out with the old to make room for the new.
Some days I feel like an old thing. An item to be set out at a discount. Some times, I try to hide in the back of the closet or stuff myself in the drawer because I just don't feel like I could be used. I'm not shiney and captivating. I've had a little wear and tear and my newness has worn off. I don't think I could be proudly displayed and I don't feel the least bit unique. But I thank the Lord that when He looks at me, He doesn't see that. I am so grateful that I don't depreciate in His eyes over time. And He reminds me that "What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." (Galatians 6:15) So maybe that's the secret to it all. Be transformed into something new. Let Him change the oldness into newness. Restore, renew, shine. And He reminds me of my purpose and potential as I remember the price at which I was originally purchased. Maybe my purpose has changed, but maybe the wear and tear appreciates rather than depreciates. And so I'm thankful that He pulls me out of the junk drawer and displays me rather than trading me in for something new. A unique item. One of a kind. Repurposing His treasure to be used for His glory.
#127 - Because He has a purpose for me.
"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me." - Psalm 57:2
So after a late outing last night, I came home and as I walked through my garage I noticed it smelled different. Normally, my garage smells like dirt and gasoline,but last night the smells of my things filled the garage. Treasures once purchased and brought home with joy were now set out at a discount for anyone's taking. One man's trash is another man's treasure. The time was drawing near for the items to go to a new home. Items that were no longer of use to me, items taking up space, were now made available for someone else to use, proudly display, wear. And maybe those shoppers would boast to their friends about how they found this unique treasure for an incredible bargain.
This is life, human nature. We accumulate, get new things, do new things, try new things. And after time, these new things depreciate in our eyes. But initially we were excited about the newness. We just had to have it! Maybe we saved up for it, admired it every time we passed by, shopped around to get the best price for it. And we bring it home, care for it, use it, and appreciate it. But time changes all things. Wear and tear happens, styles change, needs change, desires change. Then, we see another new shiney thing. Something that's better. An improvement. So the new thing becomes the old thing when the newest thing is now in our possession. The newly appointed old thing is shoved in a box, put in a closet, stuck in a drawer only to be forgotten until we finally decide to purge. Out with the old to make room for the new.
Some days I feel like an old thing. An item to be set out at a discount. Some times, I try to hide in the back of the closet or stuff myself in the drawer because I just don't feel like I could be used. I'm not shiney and captivating. I've had a little wear and tear and my newness has worn off. I don't think I could be proudly displayed and I don't feel the least bit unique. But I thank the Lord that when He looks at me, He doesn't see that. I am so grateful that I don't depreciate in His eyes over time. And He reminds me that "What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." (Galatians 6:15) So maybe that's the secret to it all. Be transformed into something new. Let Him change the oldness into newness. Restore, renew, shine. And He reminds me of my purpose and potential as I remember the price at which I was originally purchased. Maybe my purpose has changed, but maybe the wear and tear appreciates rather than depreciates. And so I'm thankful that He pulls me out of the junk drawer and displays me rather than trading me in for something new. A unique item. One of a kind. Repurposing His treasure to be used for His glory.
#127 - Because He has a purpose for me.
"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me." - Psalm 57:2