The Eye of the Beholder

My wife and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary last week. Rather than buying each other gifts that we'd forget about within a few weeks, we decided to look for a piece of art or furniture that would stand as a constant reminder of our love for one another...I know, I know...that's mushy.

So we looked at a couple pieces of furniture and at several art galleries. While walking through the new Antique Archaeology store in Nashville (props to The American Pickers), we saw an old construction sign and both of us said, "That's the one!"

That's the one? Seriously?

This is a bent-up, dented & dinged, rusted out old sign that the Virginia Department of Highways threw out years ago. And then someone found it, stuck it in the back of an old barn, and let it sit for years and years. Technically, it's a pretty ugly and useless sign that can no longer serve it's intended purpose.

But when we saw it, we knew it was perfect for us...that's the one we wanted! The dents, dings and rust didn't bother us at all. We looked past the imperfections and saw a sign with character and with a history. We saw a piece of art that we will cherish for years to come.

Don't you think that's how God sees us? He looks past our rust, dents, and dings and sees a piece of art...a piece of art that He Himself created. He cherishes us greatly, regardless of how others see us or of how we see ourselves. Remember that when you feel dinged and dented. And remember that when you see someone else who is showing some signs of rust. God loves you and He loves them. We are, after all, His most cherished creation.