As Is

All stories copyright 2006 Bob Perks

Today's Message:

"As is"

By Bob Perks

"That's got to be the worst advertising I have ever seen!" I said.

"What advertising?" he asked.

I pointed to the pin he was wearing on his jacket.

"As is!" I said.

He appeared to be embarrassed. His face turned a bright red and he couldn't

look me in the eye.

"Oh, that thing," he said as he fumbled to remove it.

"Don't take it off, I was really joking," I said as I grasped his hand. "Leave it there."

"I feel foolish," he said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I had that made for me. I wear it when...." he began to stumble over his words.

"When?"

"When I go out."

"When you go out where?"

"Out dancing...at the club and places," he said.

I waited for more. There wasn't any.

"That's it? What's it mean?" I asked him.

"Oh, I want to meet a lady. A companion, friend...you know."

"So the pin means..."

"What you see is what you get!" he replied loudly. Then he smiled.

"Oh, like a used car..."As is?" I said.

He started laughing. "I know it's silly, but I'm too old to be trying to impress

someone. They're all looking for "razzle-dazzle."

"You have razzle-dazzle!" I assured him.

Through his now increased laughter he said, "I have a little bit of "razzle"

but I think I lost my "Dazzle."

We both sat there laughing. "I can relate to that!" I said.

"Really, "As is" isn't a bad deal. I think it's a brilliant way to start a

conversation with a stranger," I said.

"Well, I have met a few ladies because of it," he said.

"Nothing became of it? I mean, you didn't meet the special love of

your life?" I asked.

"No. Most of them came "As is," too. But they needed a lot of work," he said.

"You're not buying a car there. I think we are all "As is." There's a

lot of mileage, a lot of issues, you know...the stuff of life," I said.

It got me thinking about things. I can picture those words on a sale agreement for

used equipment or as a description in a want add for something being sold.

Usually when you see them, you hesitate, simply because it suggests there may be

something wrong with it. Enough wrong that the seller didn't want to fuss with it.

They didn't want to invest anything more in it so you have to take it as it is.

The price is lowered, the expectations limited and you just hope someone

will take it because you don't want to keep it any more.

I sat quietly thinking about it.

Who would want something or someone marked "As is?"

The one with vision. The one who sees hope and potential. The one who looks at sand

and still sees a place to grow. The one who sees withered and lifeless and takes time to prune away

the dead parts and nurture the life back into it. The one who reaches for the rose knowing

there may be thorns, but willing to take a chance because they value the beauty in it.

The one who lights the smallest candle in the darkest room while others sit in

fear of the unknown.

God, take me "As is" and help me to see again. Cut away the lifeless, wasted parts of my life and

nurture it until it bears fruit worthy of You. Help me to see the beauty within my life. It has been buried

for so long in the thorns of negativity. Teach me to be the light for those who hide in darkness.

God, I am "as is," and pray that through you, I will become "As you want me to be."

"I believe in You!"

Bob Perks

Bob@BobPerks.com

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