Pantry Appreciation
by samuel davidson
Just the other day I was driving to a friends when I passed a man washing an old ‘80 something white Honda Civic with a paint-pocked body, faded bumpers, and sweet pimp’n rims. Seriously, the rims were probably worth way more than the car they supported. Even so the owner washed the entire thing as if each square-inch was more important than the last. I had to chuckle as I passed him, finding his labor to be a complete waste of time. And of course, that’s when God decided to hit me upside the head with my first lesson of the weekend.
Lesson #1
It’s not what you have to take care of, but how you take care of what you have.
Honda Civic man totally understood this. He didn’t have a Ferrari, but he did what he could given what he had
No doubt luxuries are cool and they have their place, but it’s more important that you are diligent with blessings and responsibilities you have. There is something about appreciating things in your life by rendering over your time that brings joy and satisfaction, but not necessarily instant elation.
This might extend to things like practicing an instrument, changing the oil yourself, repairing the gadget instead of purchasing a new one, or it may transcend into your relationships with people. How often have we given up on a friend because they hurt us real bad or just were negligent with hangout times? Compared to mending that relationship, jumping ship and finding a new one to board is way easier. But is it better?
Sadly, lesson two came up a few days later. I got a call early Sunday morning with news fated for everyones ears sooner or later, but even knowing isn’t enough. The message explained that a family member of said friend had died.
Lesson #2
Appreciation is not something that should gather dust in a pantry.
It’s funny. No matter how often it’s served, people still eat it up.
Filed under: Life, Observations, Short and Sweet | 1 Comment
Tags: appreciation, god
hey sam -
interesting post. ill be honest, im currently at a stage in life were i wish i had just a little more than i do. but once i bought my new car i really understand what ‘appreciation’ means. its not an appreciation that it is new or the best car in the world. but you appreciate it because there is some tie between you and whatever you ‘appreciate’ that goes further than just materialism. it could even be a sentimental feeling that makes you appreciate it so much. whatever it is, taking care of what you have is what counts and i am learning this slowly but surely…
thanks for the gnarly post man.
-andy
p.s. i suck at english