Being Picky

Thanks to my 16 year old, I've added the History Channel's "American Pickers" to my list of favorite TV programs. The show centers around the road travels of  Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they 'pick' for hidden memorabilia by digging through junk piles, abandoned barns and neglected garages across America.  (The term 'picking' refers to the act of treasure hunting or antiquing.)  Mike, Frank and their assistant, Danielle, are very entertaining, but their finds are what keep my eyeballs glued every week.

"That old bike is worth HOW MUCH?!" 

"I've seen those before.  I used to have one like that!"

"You've got to be kidding!  Really?  That's what it was used for?  Amazing."

History meets the Antique Road Show---I love it!  And I also love that it reminds me of my Grandpa, Ora Tracy.  He was THE American picker in his time, combining his love of history, farming and politics in every antique he kept in his pole barn.  He was nearly 63 when I was born, but he lived a long, healthy life and blessed my life for 34 years, instilling in me the same love of history and antiques. 

I never grew tired of walking through his antique barn, or shop as he called it.  He would lovingly take the time to explain what each piece was, where it came from and how old it was. Usually every piece had its own story and Grandpa LOVED to tell a good story!  After he passed, grandma let the grandchildren go through and pick a few items from his shop before an auction was held.  I cherish these items today, my grandpa-treasures, I call them...Not because of their monetary value, but because of the memories they invoke.

I suppose there were reasons why grandpa chose the items he did for his collection--just as there were reasons why God throughout history chose the people He did as His. Seen by others as used up, worn out, rusty, broken or unwanted, God viewed their lives as useful--worthy and valuable in His kingdom. 

Moses was a former slave, a murderer, was old and even stuttered.

David was a smelly shepherd, an adulterer and murderer.

Rahab was a prostitute.

Peter, Andrew, James and John were only poor fishermen.

Paul, formerly Saul, was a pompous Pharisee and an avid Christian-killer.

And Jesus was a meager carpenter.

Sinners, broken, and with histories of our own, God continues to seek us out, brush us off and tell us, "You are valuable to me!  You are a treasure!"  Yes, God is a picker...a picker of lives, a picker of souls.

"You've got to be kidding!  Really?  That's what I can be used for?  Amazing!"

God, I'm so glad You are picky! I'm so glad You have picked me as Your Own.