I recently came across the following story in the appendix of a book by Rob Bell. It wasn’t “that one”, so relax. It served as a good reminder for me. I hope it speaks to you as well!
“Recently I saw my friend Josh, who teaches fifth and sixth graders. He was preparing the lesson for that day and had his supplies with him: a large glass bowl, a can of beef, fatty tissue, sauerkraut, a jar of olives, some anchovies, and a hundred dollar bill. I know – I was curious too. So I did exactly what you would have done. I asked him what the lesson was about. He replied, ‘I put all of the ingredients in a bowl, including the money, and then I mix it together. Then when it doesn’t taste good I pretend I am going to throw it away. At this point the kids go crazy, telling me not to. I ask them why I shouldn’t and they say, “Because its valuable”. And then I counter with, “But it smells and its disgusting.” At which point they rush to the front, volunteering to reach into the bowl and pull out the hundred dollar bill. Actually I may have to start using a twenty for this lesson, because the last time I used a hundred, they trampled each other to get to the front. I then read to them from Genesis chapter 1 about how every single human being bears the image of God, and how no matter what else is mixed in there, a person still has limitless worth in the eyes of God’.”
Isn’t this a powerful object lesson? We all have some junk in the mix don’t we? I know I do. Sometimes it makes me feel better to compare junk with others and convince myself that I have less than this person or that. But I need to be more mindful that no matter how much junk is in the mix, each person is one who has inherent value in the eyes of God. All of scripture is a testament in part to that fact.
But what about the people I live with and call my family. Do I focus more on their value or their junk? Maya Angelou has a wonderful quote, “If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don’t be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning ‘Good morning’ at total strangers.” Point taken.
Aren’t you glad God is in the business of redemption? If we let Him, He washes our junk away, and rejoices in the value of who we are. I want to be more mindful of what God values, and less mindful of…other stuff.
