First tooth.

First walk.

First grade.

First date.

First name.

First place.

Why are “firsts” so important? Being first is groundbreaking. It’s exciting. It’s new. But no one really ever talks about second.  Second place, second date, second tooth. Second is the ugly sheep that’s hardly noticed and rarely discussed. It’s always there, but people overlook the value of second.

Over the weekend, I have come to see worth in “seconds.” “Seconds” is what comes after first and contrary to popular opinion, it still has an enormous value.

Yesterday was a first for me, but it taught me a valuable lesson about seconds. Around 5 o’clock last night I drove to a side of town I’m rarely on, navigated around a strange building, and parked by a large dumpster filled with odds and ends. I had arrived at the Salvation Army in Athens, and it was my first time there volunteering to serve dinner.

Anticipation and eagerness filled my head as I stepped out of the car and saw the friendly face of someone I knew. We knocked on a locked back door and were let directly into a kitchen. I quickly introduced myself to those I didn’t know, stuck my hands into some gloves, and started chopping cucumbers and tomatoes.

The meal came together quickly and before I knew it, the Salvation Army’s doors were open to the hungry. Men and women of all ages filed into the room lined with tables. They came up to the counter and grabbed a plate filled with steaming rice and meat, green beans, salad, watermelon, biscuit, and a cupcake. Their faces were even as I handed them their trays, and everyone sat down to eat.

Nearing the end of the time, an announcement was made for “seconds.” By then, almost everyone had devoured their first plate. They perked up and swarmed the counter to request more rice and meat or for more watermelon. They were humbled at the thought of seconds. They were not allowed to approach the counter and to ask for seconds before the announcement was made. They were still hungry after the first plate and had to wait around for an authority figure to announce they were allowed more food.

I was humbled.

How many times have I, and adult, walked up to a buffet to get seconds? Or, how many times have I been to a potluck and wandered back to the table after round 1? I have the freedom (in some scenarios) to take seconds freely. But, the men and women who had come for dinner at the Salvation Army were only given seconds because we had enough food for more. They needed more food. They valued “seconds.”

“Seconds” show me a great deal about others because “seconds” are humbling. They aren’t the best, but needed and have great worth.