Carpentry

Today, God blessed me with a saw and drill, and a great conversation with a funny old man.

I have been waiting patiently to buy tools of my own, but friends, this has been quite the chore. Over the years I have borrowed from friends, been creative, and often leaned on the Church to provide for my utility needs. I pictured having to wait until I convinced my wife that we should register for a saw instead of a microwave, but I was wrong. I checked craigslist, made a phone call, and before long, off I was in search of a friendly voice's house. Each time I called, an older woman would answer, having seemingly been awakened from her nap, and holler across the house for Gary. I patiently waited for him to come to the phone, and decided to leave my "I know construction, so don't try to jip me" tone behind. He said "hello" and I asked how his day was going, catching him off guard. We chatted for a bit, and he invited me over to take a look at the tools. I fought the unploughed roads leading to his house, but arrived safely.

At the front door, I experienced one of my quirky loves: the dialogue inside that springs forth after someone rings a doorbell. Quick shuffling, "Gary, he's here, go get the door," she voiced. She answered the door. "Hello, Gary's in the back, but come on in." I step inside and close the door. Two cats rush past me down the corridor carved through the things cluttering the room. I think to myself, "Crazy cat couple; remember the exit for a quick get-away." I immediately judge them for the disarray around me. No! In the moment I chide myself and pray for a softer heart. By God's grace, my mind is brought to a right perspective.

Gary enters the scene, suspenders working hard, slicked back gray hair, and a firm hand shake. He brings out the case. "I'm selling them for my brother. Not even sure if they work, no battery you see." I give them a quick look over. They are in great condition. I tell him about having done roofing in Memphis and that this cordless circular saw would have come in handy. This spurs him to take out his wallet and grab an old business card, flip it over and take down my info, writing roofer next to my name and number. I try to explain that I have limited experience, and that I'm in nursing school, and attempt to discredit myself enough to avoid a phone call asking for me to re-roof a house. He writes part-time roofer instead. Feeling defeated, and expecting a call sometime soon, I pull out my wallet and hand him the money. "If they don't work, go ahead and bring them back," he says. I explain that I know I'm taking a risk, and not to worry about that. I thank him and start to head for the door.

He stops and tells me that he used to be a nurses' aid many years ago. I explain that I am also an aid at Boone hospital. After a very winded story about an experience he had as an aid, he urges me to really care for and about my patients. Words I always need to hear. I want work to never just be work, but an opportunity to worship Christ and wash feet. I am reminded of a verse in James 4 in which "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God." Thank you God for also having the grace to humble my pride.

God continues his work on me, refining me into an image of his son. Lots of canvas yet to paint, but I am encouraged by the growth I can see within myself. All glory be to God for this mighty work of his grace. A few verses later, James reads, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." This is great truth.

After buying a saw and reflecting on the day, I can't help but think of Joseph. A carpenter by trade, and Jesus, his apprentice. I am thankful that God directed my eye to craigslist today, that he might humble and bless me in a cluttered old house with a friendly old man.

a lungful of air



Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3)

I ran into a good friend last night before work that I haven't been able to talk with for a while. It was really pleasant to quickly catch up on each others lives and what's been going on. It was over faster than I wished, but that's the theme of my song tonight. During the conversation we somehow got onto the topic of the brevity of life, well, this life. Working at a hospital on floors with a primarily older patient population lends to a special insight on life. We're getting old. We all get old. At 22, I half-genuinely joke about feeling the effects of aging. My ankles seemingly have small explosions each morning, my ears are starting to grow prepubescent beards, and people now call at 9:00 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?" At the hospital I see more moons than the Hubble Telescope, but I'm beginning to put together the clues. Old rumps may they be, these clues lead to the realization that these vessels in which we dwell, and the time that we spend in them is but a breath (Job 7:7).

"You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14). That is, I must keep in mind that I have no firm substance on this earth. I am as fragile as mist and vapor. I must keep in mind that I have no durability on this earth, for I appear "for a little time" - just a little time. My time is short. Your time is short. And keep in mind that you will disappear. You and I will be gone, and life will go on without us. It matters, James says, that we keep this view of life in mind.

God means for the truth about himself and about life to be known and felt and spoken as part of our reason for being. Gazing at life from that angle spurs me to move with haste. It causes me to laugh at entertaining ideas of loitering on my heavenly expedition. Oh, that my life would be a vivid, powerful testimony to the truth that God can and does use weak men to accomplish amazing things for his glory.

The call of the gospel is to a life that counts. God is the initiator of his mission to redeem, through the Church, a special people for Himself from all of the peoples of the world. He sent His Son for this purpose and He sends the Church into the world with the message of the gospel for the same purpose. As the psalm I started with expresses, creation exists that we may live in such a way that affirms that Jesus is more precious than life. More precious than life. Jesus, help me to make that a reality, that others would see that you are the most valuable thing in my life. Help me to sacrifice myself for the good of others so that it is unquestionably apparent that my treasure is not on this earth. Let me not be a carbon copy of the world.

God governs my life - its length and its achievement. I don't have a say in when I go, but I will be obedient to his commission. I'm only misty for a little time. Time to move my feet.