By Pastor Mark Woodward
Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith
Churches (and Lenora)
Some time ago, the Preston Historical Society was busy getting ready for the construction of their new Depot Museum Building and in the process were doing a lot of cleaning, sorting and moving things around in preparation for the project. During this time it was decided that an old folding table was no longer needed in the new Depot Museum Building. So it was cast off and set out on the curb.
People who know me, know that I am a bit of a “scavenger” in finding usable items and putting them to good use either for myself or for other people. I am a “recycler” as I don’t like seeing good things go to waste. Needless to say, on the way home I stopped with my old pickup and put the thrown away table in the back end and off I went! I put the old table in my garage for future use.
In about a year’s time the old table was used for rummage sales, graduation parties, a craft show, a couple church events and a few other activities and the old table traveled all over Fillmore County … Cherry Grove, Spring Valley and Preston … and eventually became misplaced and lost.
The historical society decided they needed some furniture for their new building and put out a plea for tables, showcases, display shelving and other items.
I responded to their request and offered the old table back – the one that had been previously discarded! However, the table was lost and could not be found! After some good detective work, the table was eventually discovered packed away in a storage closet!!
After being discarded and cast off, rescued, used for a variety of things, lost, and packed away, the old table is now back at the new Preston Historical Society Depot Museum and being put to good use.
Is there a moral to this story? Yes, I think so. I don’t think tables have feelings or emotions, but if they did, how would they feel about being discarded, unwanted, forgotten and lost? Those are biblical themes that are lifted up numerous times in the Bible. People sometimes feel cast off, rejected, ignored and forgotten – Jesus felt this way, too. However, in a close relationship with God in Jesus Christ, people can feel redeemed, forgiven, loved and made whole. People can feel needed, wanted and cherished.
People and tables are not at all alike, but in this story there is kind of a parallel between an unwanted table and how it was reclaimed, found and brought back home again. Jesus reaches out to each of us and claims us as his very own. We are no longer thrown away, lost or forgotten – instead we are saved, redeemed and loved by God in our Savior Jesus Christ.
Just think God reaches out to us today in Jesus and reminds us of just how precious we are in his sight. We are not abandoned, cast off or forgotten. Instead we are loved so very much that Jesus gave his very life for each of us and calls us his precious children … and says to us, “come on home!”
God’s blessings always!
Your friend,
Pastor Mark Woodward
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