Tommy Pants

In the dark and dreary high school hallways there was a bright and shining light. His name was Luke.

With his uncharacteristic style, you could spot him coming with a Duct tape back pack full of books. Of course, one book of importance remained at his side; a Bible which had a matching cover made from Duct tape. He was unique in most of his ways, setting himself apart from the high school norm.

In the middle of kids going in all directions trying to beat the line, gather their food choices and scramble to a seat, Luke would quietly say hello to friends, fold his hand and bow to pray. He wasn’t participating in his daily ritual, but simply thanking God for his food.

I didn’t know Luke for very long before he moved away for college. He probably will never remember who I was in the midst of the hectic lunchroom, but he was such an example in so many ways that I will never forget who he was and his character.

One particular lesson he embodied, I would like to share with others.

In addition to all the Duct tape, he also fashioned a pair of Tommy Hilfiger pants. They were plaid on one leg and probably a horrible color on the other pant leg. I just remember him telling me he had gone to a thrift store in search of the ugliest name brand outfit he could find to make a statement.

See, a little more than 10 years ago when I was in high school, Tommy Hilfiger was a big deal. For some kids, having Tommy clothes or similar name brand items gave them the notion they were better than the old Wal Mart shoppers.

However, Luke knew the value of someone didn’t rest within their clothing choices, so he made a statement. He could strut the halls with his Tommy pants, knowing how ridiculous they truly looked. He would sarcastically remark he was cool because he was wearing his Tommy pants, again, knowing they were anything but attractive.

The lesson of putting value to things by what we say and think has revealed itself more and more to me lately. A phrase I’ve heard and like states, “It is neither good nor bad, it just is.”

Often times we wrap ourselves in our own way of understanding a situation with misplaced value or judgment.

Proverbs tells us to lean not to our own understanding, but rather to God’s understanding with knowledge. You can also find references to Godly wisdom being worth more than choice gold or silver in the same book. Scripture such as this should be our guiding light leading us to value more important things according to God’s standards and His understanding.

Be careful not to add misplaced value to attire, name brands or maybe the latest fad, as it may leave you empty handed. Because, really, how do the designs Tommy Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren provide compare to what is offered by our Lord Jesus Christ?