I had this blog completely written in my head last week. However, as I sat down to write it, it hasn't flowed the way I expected it to. I've had so many thoughts competing to get out of my head that putting this particular post to paper has challenged me. Sometimes I wish I could just kind of open my brain and you could read that instead!
I filled a lot of holes last weekend. It was one of the few things I not only knew how to do, but could easily manage with a 24 pound toddler on my back while also helping supervise our other 4 eager, young missionaries! Some of the holes I filled were physical nail holes. Others were more of the metaphorical, emotional and spiritual type, others still were physical needs. It seemed like such a small, insignificant job when I started out. How could my putty job possibly compare to the carpentry work being done around me? It was necessary work, though. If I didn't get the holes covered, my team members coming along behind me couldn't sand, couldn't paint, couldn't finish the rest of the job. If we didn't supply the necessities, these kids wouldn't have a good start to their school year. If we didn't supply the hugs, support, prayer and encouraging words--well, everyone could use more of those! It was a positive chain reaction, a flowing operation of goodness and important work.
Turns out, applying putty was also prayerful, thought-provoking work. I wasn't expecting that. I sort of expected the physical labor to be kind of mind-numbing and monotonous. However, as I applied the putty to the holes in the drywall and trim, my thoughts turned to God, our Potter, and us, the clay. As I rolled the putty in my hands to warm it, to make it more malleable, as I rubbed it over the holes, making sure it was smooth, I heard my Father whisper, "This is what I do for you. Daily, hourly, minute by minute."
Throughout life, we collect holes. Life, the world--they can damage us. We humans are also sinful creatures. We have experiences that break us, and make us. God is there with us, filling in those holes, molding us, shaping us. He rolls us in His hands, warming us, allowing our life experiences to make us more malleable, gently smoothing out our rough edges, gently smoothing over the holes the most damaging of experiences leave in us. Sometimes, He relies on other humans to help fill our holes, to be His hands and feet. If we don't complete our work, He can't complete His. What we do for our fellow brothers and sisters, we do for our Father.
I filled a lot of holes last weekend. It was one of the few things I not only knew how to do, but could easily manage with a 24 pound toddler on my back while also helping supervise our other 4 eager, young missionaries! Some of the holes I filled were physical nail holes. Others were more of the metaphorical, emotional and spiritual type, others still were physical needs. It seemed like such a small, insignificant job when I started out. How could my putty job possibly compare to the carpentry work being done around me? It was necessary work, though. If I didn't get the holes covered, my team members coming along behind me couldn't sand, couldn't paint, couldn't finish the rest of the job. If we didn't supply the necessities, these kids wouldn't have a good start to their school year. If we didn't supply the hugs, support, prayer and encouraging words--well, everyone could use more of those! It was a positive chain reaction, a flowing operation of goodness and important work.
Turns out, applying putty was also prayerful, thought-provoking work. I wasn't expecting that. I sort of expected the physical labor to be kind of mind-numbing and monotonous. However, as I applied the putty to the holes in the drywall and trim, my thoughts turned to God, our Potter, and us, the clay. As I rolled the putty in my hands to warm it, to make it more malleable, as I rubbed it over the holes, making sure it was smooth, I heard my Father whisper, "This is what I do for you. Daily, hourly, minute by minute."
Throughout life, we collect holes. Life, the world--they can damage us. We humans are also sinful creatures. We have experiences that break us, and make us. God is there with us, filling in those holes, molding us, shaping us. He rolls us in His hands, warming us, allowing our life experiences to make us more malleable, gently smoothing out our rough edges, gently smoothing over the holes the most damaging of experiences leave in us. Sometimes, He relies on other humans to help fill our holes, to be His hands and feet. If we don't complete our work, He can't complete His. What we do for our fellow brothers and sisters, we do for our Father.
If this work isn't finished, the outreach group we were helping can't do their work--they can't offer the necessities to the community they are loving on. They can't fill in the holes of their community. They can't fill in the holes in the hearts of the ones who needs mending, they can't fill in the holes in the souls who need hope.
I encourage you, as you encounter others throughout your day, to please work towards filling those holes. A kind word, a pat on the shoulder, holding the door open, providing a meal, taking a friend out for coffee--you pick the way, but don't put it off.
I encourage you, as you encounter others throughout your day, to please work towards filling those holes. A kind word, a pat on the shoulder, holding the door open, providing a meal, taking a friend out for coffee--you pick the way, but don't put it off.
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