Tools of the Master

 

My Dad was a Master Carpenter.  Not because of any certificate or degree he held, but because he was trained by his father and skilled from many years of labor.  Also, because he had the right tools for the job.  The last time I was home, I went into his shop and took some pictures of the heavy duty, commercial grade tools that still remained. They looked lonely.  Mom has decided to keep the shop as it is for the family to use and it's rented occasionally by one of his former crew members when he has a large cabinet job to complete.  It isn't the same without seeing Dad in there, wearing his faded denim shirt with his pencil sticking out from the side of his camouflage ball cap.  Even so, it was peaceful and comforting to just hang out in the place that he spent so much of his time.  

Recently, one of the houses that he and his crew built was listed for sale. As soon as I saw the photos, I knew the house. It was the big one on Judge Rd outside of Liberty. I knew it because they had worked on it for almost a year as it was a massive project.  Three stories and lots of custom woodwork. Dad built many houses over the years, including two for he and Mom and the first house for Rusty and I. He had one featured in Southern Living magazine and some cabins featured in travel magazines. Anything he built was done to perfection.  Including the many pieces of furniture that our family will cherish for years to come. 

When I was looking at all of the tools in his shop (pictured below) I thought about how many things I could build if I had them. He taught me a lot through the years and I could probably figure out how to recreate some of the things he made, if I just had all of the tools. Isn't that true about so many things?  We could do our own repair work without having to pay someone else or maybe take on some big building projects, if we just had the right tools.  

On a spiritual level... God gives us the tools that we need to live a Christian life. Prayer to communicate with Him, the Bible to learn about Him, and the Holy Spirit to guide us.  He then uses us as His tools to fulfill His purpose.  We're called to be His witnesses in Acts 1:8.  It's not coincidental that we end up where we are. God puts us in places to pour into the lives of those around us.  1 Peter 3 tells us to always be prepared when we're asked about the hope that is found in us.  

Just like the shop tools, we must be prepared to go to work at all times. We must be sharp like the planer knives and saw blades and ready to fulfill our purpose.  Most of all, we must be plugged into the power source or we won't be of any use at all.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  -Acts 1:8

...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...  1 Peter 3:15

Click the link below to receive an email when new blog content is posted. 

https://follow.it/hallelujahe-we-are-not-alone?leanpub