I’ve often heard that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. I discovered that firsthand on a recent walk through our neighborhood. As my husband and I rounded the corner of a nearby street, I noticed something sitting by the curbside of a home. I immediately saw beauty – garden art–in what someone else had designated as a discard for garbage pickup.
Actual Garden Treasures
Yes, those pictures above are actually the treasures I found–and how I ultimately decided to use them in my backyard. Yes, it really was a decorative twin head board and foot board. And yes, I did ask the neighbor if I could rescue them. 🙂 (The picture of the white stool was also a curbside reject I found another time.)
I love garden art–decorating my garden–almost as much as gardening itself. My earthly father taught me about salvaging useable goods. I can still see images of my dad walking down the alley toward our house, wagging home some recyclable discard he’d rescued from a nearby dumpster.
Visualizing Beauty
I also learned early on that beauty is in the eyes of the Creator. My heavenly father’s love taught me that. If He could love someone like me and visualize beauty in one who was destined for the garbage truck, then perhaps I could learn to visualize His beauty too.
But not just in garden art. God wants us to see His beauty in everyone. Each of God’s precious creations has the potential for beauty, but maybe they can’t see it in themselves. While it’s God’s job to do the rescuing, we can point others to the Creator and Master Designer and help turn them away from the “garbage pickup.”
I love the quote by Chris Cooper, the horse trainer in the movie “Seabiscuit.” When someone wanted to shoot a horse with an injured leg, Chris convinced them not to: “You don’t throw a whole life away just because it’s banged up a little bit.”
All of us have been “banged up a bit.” But God saw such potential in us and loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus to restore the beauty He first visualized in us: “And while we were still discards, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), my own interpretation).
It’s What God Sees that Counts
I’m so grateful God saw something useable in me years ago, aren’t you? I may feel anything but beautiful at times. But it’s what God sees that counts. You see, real beauty is in the eyes of the Creator.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
My Personal Prayer for You
Lord, you know where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed. We desperately need you to remind us of the beauty you see in us, and to help us visualize your potential for our lives. Fill us with fresh purpose and joy so we can help others who have been “discarded” for garbage pickup. Thank you for making us your own special treasure!
Day-votedly Yours,
Rebecca
Digging for Treasure
On another note: In writing today’s blog, I stumbled onto a home improvement classified site called Diggers List. There, you can “dig” into some blogs to find ideas for recycling “discards” into treasures, as well as actual places to find or donate some. I’m not necessarily recommending it–just passing on the information if anyone is interested. Another place you can actually donate your “trash” for someone else’s treasure is at Freecycle. Or, you can always leave them on your curbside and hope that people like me will come along and rescue them. 🙂
It’s Your Turn
What about you? Is there anyone you know who needs these words today? You can always write me through my contact page. Just fill out the basic name and address info, and then the email will come to me. Your name or info will never be shared with anyone without your permission. Also, if you are visual like me, you can join me and follow my boards on Pinterest.
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