PRIDE
I knew a few things about the old guy, although I’d never met him… I’ve seen where he lives. Thousands of people see his home everyday, but most probably don’t give much thought to him or his home.
He lives about 100 yards from one of the busiest interstates in the country. I’m not sure if the noise from the cars, trucks, and motorcycles affect his sleep. I don’t see how they couldn’t. I’m pretty sure the man whose home is in a pretty desolate spot of desert goes pretty well armed. My guess is if someone tried to rob or harm the old guy they’d be hauled off in a body bag…
It might seem a little presumptuous to make a declaration without having met the man, but let me give a few more details… His land is relatively small. It looks to be about 50 or 60 feet wide, that frontage parallels the interstate and looks like about 80 feet the other way.
His property is pretty visible to the passersby. He has the entire perimeter of his land lined with rocks. Not a rock wall, just two handed sized stones placed neatly next to each other in an orderly fashion.
Despite being in the middle of the desert, the old man’s land is raked clean of grub, debris, weeds, or rocks. The rake lines are visible from the vantage of the freeway looking south.
He has his BBQ area to the west side of the property. Close to the freeway he has some barrels and old equipment lined neatly and orderly. His home is centered in the 50 or 60 foot width perfectly, as if he stepped it off or measured to ensure its perfection. His home is at the front of the back third of his lot.
His home is old and quite small. The home is smaller than most of our children’s bedrooms… His home is a camper. The type of camper designed to fit in the back of a pick-up truck bed, but it sits on the ground with a clean mat in front of the front door.
While the old guy doesn’t have much, what he has is clean and orderly. The grounds indicate a man of pride, not boastful, but glad for what he has. My guess is that he appreciates each day, similar to how our family pets do.
There is one thing that says more about this man and his character than all the other things mentioned. Everything on the old man’s lot is neat and orderly, but all things the man possesses is arranged around the item dead center in his lot.
The man has taken great pains to point to and bring honor to the center of that lot. The center or the heart of that lot is where the man’s heart can be found as well. While all the other material things on the man’s land indicate a person of little means, the center shows something quite the opposite.
This item in the center of his land is first rate, bright and beautiful, no cost was spared for the heart of the man’s land. Perfectly centered in the land is a clean tall pole with a nice dome cap. On it hangs our American flag…
Some passersby might feel sorry for the old man if they even give him a second thought at all. I don’t feel sorry for the that man. I admire him. His actions tell me enough about him to know that he can take care of himself just fine.
I know he loves his country and I’ll bet he’d die fighting for it.
That old guy is a whole lot more free than most of us…
I’m guessing that he will appreciate his future mansion a bit more than the rest of us too…
Hazel
Friday, November 18, 2011 @ 6:46 pm
We need more people like this man who will show pride in their neighborhood and in their homes regardless of how fancy they are. He is probably a veteran too and proud of his flag that he keeps flying to let the world know that he is an American.
Floyd
Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 4:00 pm
Thanks Hazel, I agree 100%. I think he is. My guess is that he served this country he cherishes, he also reminds me that it is the simple things in life that add real value.
Jake
Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 10:49 am
Floyd, people like this are RARE. It’s fascinating and terrifying and depressing all the same. I hope that I can learn to appreciate every I have and take care of it like this man does.
Floyd
Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 4:03 pm
You crack me up Jake! It really is depressing isn’t it? But, with the proper perspective, who says he isn’t living a better life than you or me? It does remind me I need to be thankful for what I have and enjoy the simple things of life. After all, it’s just a breathe…
Nancy
Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 3:03 pm
Hey Floyd…
Randy and I know this guy – He live in OUR valley too! We are thankful for them and help/feed/minister to them as we find a need. Randy always knows just what to say and they are very grateful for the appreciative words.
The way I see it, things are just tools. When we hold with open hand what God gives – in that freedom can be found. Love this post —-Soooo much! Thanks!
Floyd
Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 4:05 pm
Thanks Nancy, I love that analogy, all things are tools from and to glorify the One who provides it. I always appreciate the insight and wisdom you bring. You and your husband are wonderful example to me.
Amy Nabors
Sunday, November 20, 2011 @ 5:03 pm
I loved that you shared this story. It shows that no matter your circumstances or financial situation you can still honor God in your circumstances.
Floyd
Sunday, November 20, 2011 @ 5:44 pm
Thanks Amy, I agree. In fact I think sometimes the trappings of this life can stand in the way for a lot of people. It’s also nice to find a person who is truly content with the simple things of this life.
brad
Friday, December 2, 2011 @ 10:56 am
Amen. Well said.
Floyd
Friday, December 2, 2011 @ 3:43 pm
Thanks Brad. I knew you’d appreciate this and that man. He gains our respect doesn’t he?…
brad
Saturday, December 3, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
You know it. One can be wealthy in many ways.
Floyd
Saturday, December 3, 2011 @ 8:33 pm
A,men…
Pat Bowling
Sunday, January 1, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
We are to be good stewards of what we have; it is a form of worship. Sounds like that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Cool story!
Floyd
Monday, January 2, 2012 @ 10:26 am
You’re right. I think we often forget that, I know I do. Sometimes it takes seeing things like that guy’s land to snap me back to reality…similar to your words… Thanks Pat.