Sunday, February 28, 2010

Ben's tool search

     Well, it's done.  It's over once again.  I sit in a kitchen devoid of activity and ladies bustling around fixing mountains of food for mobs of people.  Gill and Abram are down stairs cooking, the fruit salad is done, the breads and pudding laid out.  Plates and such are out.  

     I learned so terribly much this weekend.  I mostly just grew ever so much closer to my God, my friend, my comfort.  He's so patient with me, long beyond my ability to ever comprehend.  I also don't understand why He wants Sugar on Snow to continue.  But it is very clear He does.  That's a fact I can't get away from, even when I want to quit, because it seems so big.  So now I trust Him to handle it, and remember to just be His tool.  I'm a terrible tool.  I think of Ben's search for coopering tools.  The range of tools available was amazing.  Some were new, sharp, and beautiful, but untried.  There were some that were beaten up, chipped and rusted, very unusable, truly appearing to be useless for anything other than hanging on a wall as a has-been, or thrown on the trash heap.  Or at least it looks that way.  I suppose someone who knew what they were doing could melt it down and start over, but maybe not.

      Now, I don't need to preach at any of you...this is an old simile.  But it sure applies to me regarding Sugar on Snow.  I don't know why He is so interested in Sugar on Snow.  In some ways, it seems so tied to this earth...this earth's history and trades that may not have any meaning or value in Heaven.  No apparent spiritual, eternal value.  Yet it must, or He wouldn't be so interested, would He?

     So.  I don't know what it is and I really don't need to (though I look forward to knowing someday).  But I DO need to be a good tool.  I fail miserably at it.  Yet He keeps trying to use me.  Anyone else would have thrown me away long ago, myself included.  I'm definitely not the new, shiny tool.  I don't even want to be.  

     I want to be the one I didn't mention.  The one the user loves the best...the one that's worn, but sharp, with the beautiful patina that only comes with years of love and care.  The handle well-oiled with the hand of the user.  Shaped by the user over the years to suit him perfectly, the blade just the right shape and angle, the handle free of all splinters with areas worn away to fit the hand perfectly.  Comfortable, inviting, begging to be touched and used.  Ready to do the work set to it, and do it well.  No tool is good for everything.  The best tools do just one job but do it extremely well.  Limited, maybe, but when put with a whole chest of others in the same Maker's collection, He is able to accomplish the tasks he sets his hands too.  

     I think of the others out there who wouldn't profess to be "our" kind of Christians, or not Christians at all, but are searching, wanting, longing.  Rough around the edges and not even knowing there's a Maker wanting to make them better.  Not knowing He's there for them, wanting to sand them smooth, hone their edge, to take them in hand and make them wonderful and useful in His eyes.  People who are hearing him call, who can see those favorite tools of his, with His love all over them, and longing for it, reaching for it, but not being invited in because they're too rusty or dirty.  Or maybe they look so different from us, we don't want to invite them to live in our "tool box' until they've been cleaned up some.  I am so guilty of this.  I have so many "reasons" for being so and some are valid.  But I expect some aren't.  More honing needed, Lord!

     Thank you, my friends, for being by my side  Forgive me for being the weak, rusty, chipped, bent, unusable tool.  Forgive me for fighting my Maker and not being what He needs me to be, leaving you in the position to fill in for my lack.  Thank you for not giving up on me either.  Just like with God, I don't get that.             But I'm so glad.  

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Can't?

This is a poem I came across that would be useful in our family.  I can't say I agree with every thought in it, but it still has meat for me and mine.


Can't...

Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;

Doing more harm here than slander and lies;

On it is many a strong spirit broken,

And with it many a good purpose dies.

It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning

And robs us of courage we need through the day:

It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning

And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.


Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,

The parent of terror and half-hearted work;

It weakens the efforts of artisans cleaver, 

And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.

It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,

It stifles in infancy many a plan;

It greets honest toiling with open derision

And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.


Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;

To utter it should be a symbol of shame;

Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;

It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.

Despise it with all of your hatred of error;

Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;

Arm against it as a creature of terror,

And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.


Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,

An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;

It's prey is forever the man with a mission

And bows but to courage and patience and skill.

Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,

For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;

Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying

And answer this demon by saying, "I can".

                 Edgar A. Guest