THE SCRAP PILE

Charles Darrow didn't have much money coming into his life.  He was out
of a job. His wife was having their first child.  He was trying to make the
most out of the little he had!

After many long days, standing in long lines, looking for employment he
would come home. He would just bring his smile to that small apartment.

Charles' smile and good attitude was a source of joy!  The encouragement
to his pregnant wife brought a lift to the hard days.

When Darrow was a little boy his family took vacations in Atlantic City,
New Jersey!  He loved the memories of walking on the boardwalk by the
beach.

Now to pass time he made up a game for he and his wife to play!  The took
a square piece of cardboard and drew properties around the edges.  He
carved little houses and hotels out of the scrap pile of wood.  They would
own Darrow's vacation memories in this new made up game!

The young couple would play the new game and think they were rich!
They would buy and sell with pretend money!  They would spend hours
talking and laughing.

When they played the game the little living space didn't seem so small.
The hard days would seem to pass faster!

You see Charles Darrow never set out to be a millionaire.  The little
scraps of wood and cardboard were just a game to help he and his wife
pass the time.

Over fifty years ago Parker Brothers Games bought 'Monopoly' from
Charles.  This game is still sold around the world!  It all began with a
man with a smile who wanted to pass time with joy!

Do you have hard times?

Do you feel your in a line with people that leads to nowhere?

Whatever scraps of life you have, they are a great beginning!  You
can't use what you don't have!  There is a great DREAM in you that
begins with smalls things!  A smile is small but it can set in motion so
much good.

Luke 16:10 shares the words of Christ saying, "Whoever is faithful in a
very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very
little is dishonest also in much."

Look at what you can do!  Look at what you do have!  It's time for you to
begin!  DREAM it!  Do it!

Remember there are millions of opportunities in life's scrap piles!  There
is great treasure waiting to be set in motion by things you might discard
and see as to small.

Charles Darrow brought home a smile from many hard days.  Mabey he knew
an old gospel song that said, "Little is much, when God is in it!"