Broken Shells

             For many years now, I’ve found my greatest peace and joy walking the beach just at the edge of the waves.  At first, looking for shells was my priority, and each shell was special regardless of whether it was perfect.  As I accumulated more and more shells, I became more discriminating.  What would have been a prized find was tossed back because it was cracked or broken.  Now, only the best will do, and so I toss back or just ignore all the dirty, broken, ugly shells without giving them a second thought. 

            Sadly, we often treat people the same way.  We see their outward appearance and instantly decide about their “acceptability” or their value.  It may not even be a question of whether they are neat and clean.  Our evaluation may be focused on what they are wearing or driving or where they live.  If they don’t match our lofty standards, we often discard them just like I discard broken shells.

            Over twenty years ago, while having lunch at a local fast-food restaurant, a busload of schoolchildren came in.  As the kids excitedly ordered their food and looked for seats with their friends, I noticed a young girl all alone.  Her jeans looked like hand-me-downs, and she carried a sack lunch.  While all the other children enjoyed their burgers and fries, she sat alone eating her homemade sandwich and bag of chips.  Those kids had tossed her aside without a second thought.  They will never know what beauty may have been inside her.  They missed out on a potential friendship all because she didn’t fit their idea of “acceptable”. 

            Fortunately, God doesn’t toss us aside when our appearance is less than perfect.  He loves us, rich or poor, fat or skinny, old or young.  He looks beyond our tattered clothes, scarred complexions, and graying hair, and takes the time to look inside.  He’s concerned with our hearts, not our outward appearance. We might be pleasantly surprised if we did the same. 

            Who have you tossed aside without a second glance?  I still think about that little girl today, realizing that I was just like those kids.  I could have bought her lunch or reached out to her teacher or done something, but I was too busy or too unconcerned to be bothered.  Praise God that He’s never too busy or unconcerned to bother with me!

I Samuel 16: 7

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