Old....... but still like new!

Here is a little story I have to tell.

It all started with a trip to the hardware store during Christmas time. The wife and I were running last minute errands before the big day. As we finished getting the items we needed at the hardware store. We exited the store with an elderly man just behind us. He was about 70-80 years old it appeared. He was dressed in a long striped trench coat and hat. My mother has always taught me to respect my elders; of course, I waited and held the door out of respect for him.

One thing I noticed about him was he had an old toaster in one arm. As he exited the store I made a comment to him about how he must be on a hunt for a new toaster. He quietly replied he was looking for a special part to fix his old toaster. Our conversation lasted all of about 5 seconds, but I think about it every day.

As the wife and I drove away from the hardware store, we commented to each other about how cute the old man was and about how generations have changed. The one thought I had, "he could have bought a new toaster in the time and effort it takes him to find the part or repairman he needs." Then my wife made a very good comment about how it must have been to live back in his younger years. Back then that society fixed the things that broke, even if it is just a small cheap toaster. Today we wouldn’t even think about taking the time to find the part to fix the toaster. It would have found its way right next to the trash can.

So, ever since that day I try and look at life and the blessings God has given me just as that old man looked at his toaster. He wasn’t ready to toss it out and get a new one; he was dedicated to fixing the one he already had.