Good morning! It was so much fun when I used to work on the main lines for the local cable company. I enjoyed the freedom of being assigned work but then having the liberty to prioritize and complete it as I saw necessary throughout the day. Through the years, I have seen a lot of Long Island and even did some work in New York City. You begin to learn things you never thought of and notice things that others don’t.
When I went into the city, I learned that it’s normal to double park, the lines in the road really mean nothing, and sometimes it is necessary to bring a ladder through a house in order to get to the ‘backyard’ where the cable equipment is. So wild!
When you drive around the island, you learn that when one road is backed up (expressway, highway) they are all backed up (because everyone is already trying to get around the obstacle the fastest), and there is a pizza place, bagel store, and 711 on every corner.
Another thing I learned to look forward to were the garbage days for each area. I would drive around certain neighborhoods on garbage days if I was working nearby. You would be surprised what I have pulled out of the trash: a little tikes slide when Josh was a toddler, a zero gravity lounge chair for Mer to relax comfortably in the sun, a couple hoses for my pool filter, and some other things.
My ultimate favorite though was when I saw a chainsaw in its case (practically brand new) sitting on top of a person’s garbage can. I pulled over, walked up to the front door, and asked the homeowner if they were getting rid of it. He told me that it was purchased one year earlier and minimally used – when he tried to start it the following season, it would start but the chain would not move along the rail.
I brought it home, put it on the front stoop, and got the thing running within minutes but like the guy said, the chain would not move. After looking at the setup a little further, I noticed the safety was on! As soon as I turned the safety off, the chain started moving and I had myself a brand new chainsaw.
We used to have a tree towards the front of the yard that would hang over the driveway. During every storm, we would lose another big branch and I was able to use the chainsaw to clean it up every time. I’ve also used it for other things in the backyard – needless to say, it has been an absolute blessing and is still working hard for me today.
We have all heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In my experience this has been so true. It all depends on the perspective of how something or someone is viewed. Honestly speaking, some people have treated me like trash and other’s have treated me (undeservedly) like a treasure.
This is true for all of us – we have all been undervalued and dismissed, while others have shown their appreciation for us and have seen us as a treasure. It’s just as important to ask ourselves how we treat others? Do we dismiss some people and bend over backwards for others?
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27
Each person that we interact with through the day has been created in the image of God. God has placed value in every person living on the earth today – His image! Whether or not they know it is another question, but when we accept Jesus as our Savior and commit to living for Him – we must begin to treat each other in a way that recognizes other people’s value.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10
In the same way I removed the chainsaw from the trash and recognized its value – when we live like this, we will help others to grow in their gifts and encourage them to use them to benefit others. God has done that for each one of us – He takes us from our wandering and brokenness to bring us to a place of purpose and value.
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image. Thank You for how You have taken us at our lowest moments and given us purpose. Help us to see value in others and treat them with the love and respect they deserve. In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 