Moth, Rust, and Concrete

British violinist, David Garrett, is finding out the hard way how fragile even the most valuable items can be. Dubbed "the David Beckham of the classical scene," the 26-year-old Garrett tripped while leaving London's Barbican Hall after a performance. His fall included tumbling down a flight of concrete stairs backwards.

Mr. Garrett fared decently, escaping the tumble without significant injury. Despite being in its protective case, the violin he was carrying over his shoulder did not fare so well. Much of the instrument was crushed upon impact. Garrett purchased the violin, a Guadagnini made in 1772, for $1-million in 2003.

Ouch.

Yet another reminder of the fragile nature of anything this world has to offer. Whether its money, real estate, automobiles, rare books, sports memorabilia, musical instruments, or anything else, there are just as many ways to lose our possessions as there are to acquire them.

Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:33-34, ESV

This charge given by Jesus is one of those "easier said than done" items, but if we will challenge ourselves to implement this outlook in real life -- instead of merely acknowledging its philosophical merit -- contentment will be the result.

As for Mr. Garrett, he's playing a loaner Stradivarius (poor guy) until the company that insured what is now $1-million worth of sawdust replaces the irreplaceable.

r2

"God Made You. Be Happy."

The tallest man alive in the United States lives just down I-64 from Cold Harbor. George Bell of Norfolk, Virginia stands seven feet, eight inches tall, and works as a Norfolk sheriff's deputy.


Mr. Bell is a full two inches taller than the NBA's tallest current player, Yao Ming. He wears size a size 19 shoe (which actually isn't overly large for his height!), and wears pants that measure 43 inches at the inseam.


When asked how he feels about being so tall, Mr. Bell responded, "I have no choice but to like it."


Bell, 50, credits his late great-aunt for his positive attitude: "She always told me, 'Don't feel ashamed of yourself. Stand tall. God made you. Be happy and show your pride.' "


There is wisdom contained in such an outlook. No matter how big or how small, no matter where we have come from or where we're going, regardless of the color of our skin or how many friends we have, genuinely happy and content people are such by choice. If we live long enough here on earth, we will be faced with difficult days. People will be cruel, and those we count on will let us down.


Thus, we will be well served if we remind ourselves daily that we have inherent value in the eyes of the Lord by virtue of the fact that we are created in His image (Genesis 1:26). We set ourselves up for great disappointment when we lose sight of the fact that human relationships cannot provide all we need in life. Truly, "the arm of flesh will fail you," but the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)!!


Be loyal to Him who made you, sustains you, redeems you, and loves you without measure.

r2