We have all probably heard the expression. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I was thinking about this as I posted my garage sale add for this weekend. I thought about the vast meanings this phrase could take on.

For example, that bowl or dress you are selling in the garage sale no longer is appealing to you, however, could be exactly what someone else was looking for.

The item you are selling may no longer be able to be used for its original purpose, but a really creative person can look at it and see something totally new.

There are times when what seems like garbage is actually very valuable. There are times when something is actually one of a kind and rare but looks like junk.

Going to auctions with my grandpa was one of my favorite things to do. I still love auctions, but I remember being at them with him when they would hold up something that looked absolutely atrocious to me, but the bids would go $5, $10, $20 all the way to $100.00 for something I would not have paid $2.00 for. That bidder saw something I didn’t in those items. He/she saw a whole new purpose for something old and tattered. Sometime that with a little polish or paint could be good as new.

Auctions can go the other way too. I remember being one auction with my grandpa, I must have been in my twenties. We were having a great time watching things sell and then they came across; beautiful dining room chairs. At that time I was trying to furnish my first home with little to no money. When these chairs came out, they held up two and they were oak and beautiful. It was a set of six and you could inspect them if you wanted. I was just so excited I began to bid. I can’t remember the exact price, but I believe I got all of the chairs for less and $40.00. ( but this was 3O years ago) It wasn’t until after I paid that I realized the other four chairs had been in a fire. The only ones good were the ones that were held up. By being in a fire I mean the whole back side was black and burnt. I was so sad and my grandpa began to laugh, he said “well Deed next time you can inspect, I bet you will.” “They always show the best one.” We laughed a lot about it all the way home and put the four burnt chairs into the bonfire and talked about the lesson I learned.

In our own minds we are often like these garage sale items. We see all the imperfections. We no longer see what is appealing about us. We think we are used up, no longer have purpose. Fear and anxiety bring us to the point of not being able to move. We often try to only show our good side and hope no one will notice. Our lives are like the burnt chairs that they were afraid to show because no one would buy them. Just like it takes only one person at a sale to see the potential in something, for those who love Jesus we already have that. You see Jesus died on the cross for all of our imperfections. He knows that we are all going to feel things and do things that are not perfect, but he is perfect, and he paid the price for us.

Jesus sees the brokenness that we face in this world, and he often sends a rescuer in the form of a special friend. (Similar to the one seeing potential in the garage sale items) That one person that you can tell anything to and they will get you. The one person who will never judge, the person you can joke with and cry with. The person who will remind you that you have value no matter how badly you feel or how badly you screw up. They will not only tell you that but they will believe it. They will be honest with you and help you through anything. This person will often help you have that transformation of what feels like trash to you to the amazing treasure they know you are. If you have this “person” person you are truly blessed.

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure is really what Jesus is all about. He takes all of our junk, our anxiety, fear, brokenness; the things the devil reminds us of every day and creates an amazing treasure. When he looks at us, he does not see our flaws but the masterpiece he intended us to be. I challenge each of you and myself as well to stop thinking of ourselves as trash and realize we are treasures in the eyes of a savior that loved us enough to die on that cross.

Those who are closest to us are often the ones most equip to remind us of our value and that even our imperfections make us who we are today and that is all part of the tapestry. The tapestry God creates for each of us.

Have a truly great week everyone. God Bless.