It was a great afternoon to spend in the shop. Everything had come together to create a magical time and space for getting lost in sawdust, creativity, and doing something with your hands. At the piece started to come together, my confidence was growing. I was covered in dust and nothing had broken, been torn, or flown into a wall! Equipment and body secure, there were reasons to be confident.
My reflection was premature.
As I turned the piece over to begin sanding the other side, I notice a dark spot on the wood. It was a clear piece of ash, wonderful grain with a soft-white color. On the edge was a smear; was that blood?
It sure looked like blood. While the wood has soaked up the evidence, the stain had all the telltales of sacrifice.
A quick examination of my extremities confirmed a nick in a knuckle. It did not hurt however it was close enough that I realized it could have been much worse. I have no idea when or how it happened. In my ear, Life whispered, “Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” (1 Corinthians 10.12)
When things are going good, it feels as though I have climbed to the heights of real living. I am pumped with the decisions and actions I have taken. My confidence grows. It is easy to want to rest in the glory of the moment at hand.
Life gave me a gentle reminder this afternoon. While I had not felt anything, the evidence reminded me that it is easy to make mistakes. Power equipment does not know if I am talented or not. It simply reacts to the choices made. In the reaction, fingers can go missing and blood flows. Today’s bloodletting was a gentle reminder of what can happen. It was a good day in the shop. There are reasons for hope, especially if I use the lessons that come with life’s whispers.
