You Can't Judge A Fork By It's Color

Sometimes Spiritual insights seem to come to me through every day occurrences.

Recently we went to an informal lunch gathering. As is customary on such occasions, the eating utensils were paper plates and plastic forks. To my surprise, I had a silver fork. I had never seen a plastic silver fork and thought it was a nice idea.

The following day I found a silver fork in our living room and, slightly annoyed, I went to pick it up and take it into the kitchen. As I grabbed it, immediately I noticed it had no weight or substance. It felt sort of "yucky" (for lack of a better term). I realized it was one of those plastic forks I had seen the day before. Later, I found out my hubby brought it home because he also had been impressed with the silver plastic fork.

In the meantime, my opinion had changed. I realized when something "looks" like the real thing, but doesn't have the true strength or characteristics of the genuine item it's not of much value.

I have no problem with plastic forks. They have their purpose. However, they are generally meant for one-time use. Or, if they are used a few times, they often break.

To me it was a good analogy of what often happens when we judge by appearances. Something or someone might look good, but there is no real, reliable worth.

On the other hand.... sometimes things of true value have been tarnished by neglect, abuse or the passage of time. But, they do have substance and value. They just need a little polishing and tender, loving care!!

1 Sam 16:7b.....The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (NIV)