What is a Ragpicker
ragpicker [rag-pik-er]
noun historical
a person who picks up rags and other waste material from the streets, refuse heaps, etc., for a livelihood.
A Ragpicker is someone who finds "valuables" in the gutters and the streets, in alley- ways and dumpsters. They seek and find things that other people have cast aside; things that others considered worthless or junk. A Ragpicker will notice what others have discarded and will "pick" it up because a Ragpicker will recognize its true value.
Be a Ragpicker OF PEOPLE
The concept of being a Ragpicker of people came from a book called The Greatest Miracle in the World, by Og Mandino. Og's book, (which is a must read for anyone who becomes a Ragpicker), is about a character named Simon Potter (no relation to Harry). Simon describes that his mission as a Ragpicker is to "rescue humans after they quit on themselves." (We quit too often and fall before we are pushed).A Ragpicker selflessly fulfills the role of the true friend, the support, the builder and the Good Samaritan. They look for the outcast, for the one sitting alone, for those who feel cast aside by the world or overwhelmed by it. They also realize that the person needing their service may simply be the one having a bad day.
The truth is, we all take our turns feeling like an outcast…the last one picked for the team…overwhelmed…that we aren’t "good enough" or that we don’t fit in. A Ragpicker would notice we were "taking our turn" and would do something about it.
Can you imagine how much better our homes, our schools and our churches, our streets and our playgrounds and even our governments or businesses would be, if we had more Ragpickers?
The Voice of a Ragpicker
A Ragpicker looks to lift another and say:"You have a burden, let me share it."
"You are without a smile, have mine."
"You are a stranger, know me."
"You are alone, lets walk together."
"You have a sadness, borrow my shoulder."
"You are cold, let me warm you."
"You feel worthless, let me show you who you really are…for I know that God is ALMIGHTY, He is LOVING, He is GREATer than all of your troubles, and YOU ARE His Son or YOU ARE His Daughter. Your worth is inestimable…and you have much to give."
"You are without a smile, have mine."
"You are a stranger, know me."
"You are alone, lets walk together."
"You have a sadness, borrow my shoulder."
"You are cold, let me warm you."
"You feel worthless, let me show you who you really are…for I know that God is ALMIGHTY, He is LOVING, He is GREATer than all of your troubles, and YOU ARE His Son or YOU ARE His Daughter. Your worth is inestimable…and you have much to give."
The Tools of a Ragpicker
A Ragpicker has eyes that see. Eyes that notice a need. Eyes that see the true and sometimes hidden value in another.
A Ragpicker has ears that hear. He knows that SILENT and LISTEN are both spelled with exactly the same letters, and that sometimes they are the only two things required as a friend.
A Ragpicker has a heart that feels the joy and pain of those he serves, because his love is real.
A Ragpicker has hands that hold and hug and reach and lift…often.
A Ragpicker has feet and legs that are strong and quick to run to those who fall, walk with those who need companionship and even carry them when necessary.
A Ragpicker has ears that hear. He knows that SILENT and LISTEN are both spelled with exactly the same letters, and that sometimes they are the only two things required as a friend.
A Ragpicker has a heart that feels the joy and pain of those he serves, because his love is real.
A Ragpicker has hands that hold and hug and reach and lift…often.
A Ragpicker has feet and legs that are strong and quick to run to those who fall, walk with those who need companionship and even carry them when necessary.
