I love working in wood with my Dad. I wish I had discovered just how much I enjoy this; I have wasted so much time in growing old! One aspect of working together is the shortcuts that usually end up saving lots of time, make the task easier, and preserve the beauty in the wood.
Some people were born thinkers and learners. My Dad is like that when is comes to working with wood. Even thought he spent twenty-five thousands hours in a cabinet shop, taught woodshop for decades, and has enjoyed hours of his life with one of God’s gift, he is always looking to learn. He readily admits that there are different ways to approach things. Do you have a good idea? Let’s take a look at it, see if it can work.
One moment sticks in my mind. I was visiting and we decided it was time to go make a mess in the shop. I wanted to turn a bowl and we found the perfect piece of wood. Neither of us had any idea of what kind it was, but it sure seemed like the perfect piece. It was a much deeper than the pieces we usually played with so I wondered if I was supposed to do anything different. As we began it quickly became clear that this piece of hardwood was going to be fun, yet difficult and maybe just a touch dangerous.
We kept exploring ways to achieve our vision yet make things safer. After yet one more idea, I heard something that I did not expect.
“You know, I have never turned a bowl this way. This is really helpful. I need to remember this.”
“The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day.” (Proverbs 14.24)
I wish I knew where that idea came from! I wish I understood how I could make life safer for those around me. I dream of finding new ways to live life to the full.
God is here, now, waiting to pass on wisdom. Am I gathering it in or ignoring?
