Dress It Up!

We just put the finishing touches on a new log home. Custom cabinetry, large decks, gorgeous windows, first class amenities. All these dress ups make this home beautiful, but it is what is beneath the paint and trim that makes this a great home. A strong foundation, proper engineering , construction and quality materials are what make a lasting home. It is what you can't see that makes all the difference. If the plumbing or electrical work is shabby or faulty, this home won't be a pleasant place to live. If the heating system is undersized or unbalanced, then it won't give comfort to it's occupant's.
 A person is just like a beautiful home. We can dress ourselves up on the outside, but if we're wrong inside all the good looks in the world won't cover up the flaws beneath. Blatant examples of this have emerged in  recent current events. Charlie Sheen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Representative Weiner, all good looking on the outside, but with interior flaws. Not to set myself on a pedestal or to be judgmental, we all have flaws that we don't want others to see. I'm just suggesting that instead of trying to cover those flaws, we should pick one that we would like to change and change it. Do a remodel, so to speak. When we are right on the inside, there is no need to hide anything and the dress-ups only add beauty.
Just a thought from the chainsaw carpenter.

The Profitable Servant

In Sunday school today the topic of study was Matthew 25, in which several of the parables of Jesus were taught. The one which specifically impressed upon my mind was the parable of the talents, in which a master goes away and leaves a certain stewardship with three of his servants. Five, two and one talent to each respectively. Upon the master's return each of the servants is called to account for the stewardship given him.

The first two servants are glad to report that they have doubled the value of the talents given them, but the third servant returned only that which the Master had given him. The Master lavishes the wealth created by the servants upon each of them and makes them rulers in His kingdom. But the "unprofitable" servant is stripped of that which he was given and his talent was given to the servant with ten talents.

What was the difference between the three servants? The first two took the initiative to put their masters money to work, taking the risk that it could be lost. The unprofitable servant let fear stop him from trying to increase his master's money. How often do we allow ourselves, out of fear of loss, to do nothing with that which we have been given to do?

It occurred to me that we have been given a stewardship, whatever that may be, and God doesn't care if we fail in it as long as we make a serious effort to improve it. True growth comes only when fear of the unknown is pushed aside and we move forward in the faith that the outcome will be for the best. Edison tried a thousand different combinations before he found one that worked in the invention of the light bulb, but there was not a single failure in his mind, only progress toward the desired end.

If life doesn't seem to be working out as planned, just keep working through it with the faith that where you are going will lead you in the direction you need to take. Keep learning all you can and doing your best and the Master will say to you at the time of accounting, "well done thou good and faithful servant."

"STROKE"

Canoeing with several boys under the age of 11 can be an interesting experience. Add a fifteen mile per hour wind and this experience becomes challenging. Add to this the attempt to reach a certain destination and this experience becomes a trying one.
Upon embarking from the shore, we encountered a stiff crosswind. If you have ever experienced this in a canoe then you know that the boat acts like a sail, the wind pushing you where it will. This can be overcome with strong paddling in an organized, concerted effort. Ten year old cub scouts don't fit this description. After some quick training and encouragement, we were able to rescue ourselves from drifting into the leeward shore. With a little more work and learning, we could go in the general direction we desired. With application of the training received and much hard work, we actually reached our destination.
This can be applied to our lives and our work. When we first start out it seems that we encounter stiff opposition. This requires us to learn quickly, so as to keep our heads above water, so to speak. With this foundational learning in place, then our technique can be perfected, making us much more effective at what we are endeavoring to do. Emerson said,"that which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased."
When the winds are at their strongest, that is the moment when we grow the most.
Just a thought from the chainsaw carpenter.

That First Step is a Doozy!

What a busy week! It seems that season is upon us once again. There is a lot going on in the business and then there is gardening and yard work at home. It seems odd at times that spring would be such a busy time compared with other times of the year. Perhaps it is the fact that spring is when much of the work is done for the year but hardly any of the benefit comes until later.

For instance, at work we have done a tremendous amount of work since January, but we have been a little tight financially. We have a new home ready to sell to show for it and we have a cabin ready to build as well as a package we have shipped. This is mostly potential income at this point which will benefit us later. Meanwhile we have had to make payroll and try to keep afloat at home.

Much success in life follows this same pattern.  Much of the work needs to be done on faith, knowing that the reward will come at a later time. We can't always live for the future as there are needs that must be met today, but many of the most rewarding experiences come after we have applied the effort on faith. Move forward with those plans because God only rewards those who are willing to take the first few steps in the dark.

Just a thought from the chainsaw carpenter.