Restored

Eric collects and restores old radios. 

One day he got a call from a friend across town.  “Hey, you interested in an old radio?  My neighbor’s throwing one away and it’s out on the curb.”  Eric jumped at the chance, thinking that no matter what the condition he could at least use it for spare parts. 

The friend loaded the radio in his car and drove it to Eric’s house.  When he opened the trunk, Eric gazed in wonder at the instrument inside.  It was a vintage home receiver from the 1930’s.  A classic floor model built by Philco.  As Eric examined the radio more closely he noticed it was in pretty bad shape.  Apparently there had been a fire in the house of the previous owner.  To save the radio, the fire department had sprayed it down soaking it with water.  By now, the laminate boards had all but disintegrated on two sides of the radio.  Discoloration from smoke marred the once handsome surface.  Even the electronics were worn out or burned out.  But as Eric looked at the damaged radio he started getting excited. 

“It’s beautiful!” he exclaimed. “This is a gorgeous radio!”

The friend couldn’t hide his surprise.  “Really?  You think this is a beautiful radio?”  Eric nodded enthusiastically as he ran his hand over the warped surface.

"Come on,” he said.  “Let’s get it inside.”

The old radio was fragile.  Some of the support wood had been destroyed.  So the two men gently lifted it out of the trunk and carried it into the house. 

It took Eric the better part of a month to buy just the right pieces of lumber and find the needed replacement parts.  Then the restoration process began.  Piece-by-piece he rebuilt the radio.  Component-by-component he refurbished the electronics.  Every detail faithfully restored by his skillful workmanship.  The result?  A classic creation made new.  A vintage radio as exquisite and usable as the day it was made.   

Today the Philco stands proudly in Eric’s study for all to see and admire.

The most extraordinary aspect of Eric’s experience is not his skill as a craftsman—though that is impressive.  It’s his eye as an artist that intrigues me.  Where someone saw trash Eric saw treasure.  He didn’t see the radio as it was, he saw it as it would become when he restored it. 

Some of us can readily relate to the radio (or at least its condition).  We feel like damaged goods.  To the outside world we may wear a pleasant face, but inside we feel battered, broken, or even worthless.  If that’s your experience consider this.  I believe God sees us differently than we see ourselves.

When he looks at us, God doesn’t see the shabby exterior, the rotten wood, the broken knobs, or the damaged components.  He sees beyond all the scars and marks that life can bring.  God looks at you and excitedly says, “Isn’t she beautiful!  Isn’t he magnificent?” 

The rest of the world may act surprised.  “You think she is beautiful?  What’s so special about him?”  But never mind the rest of the world.  God sees you in a different light.  He sees past all the bangs and the scratches and the imperfections.  He sees you in terms of what you can become through him.  

And so he goes to work.  Rebuilding the heart.  Restoring the spirit.  Refreshing the life. 

The result? 

A classic creation made new.  You.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalms 147:3  NKJV

Todd Chobotar
Mission Development
Florida Hospital