The kids in our neighborhood growing up were tree fort builders. With new
housing developments going up everywhere it seemed, an endless supply of used
2x4’s, end pieces of plywood, and nails left on the ground were available to
us. Every night after the building crews would leave, we swarmed in playing in
the new houses being built, then scavenging the yard for pieces we needed to
build our forts the next day. We rarely if ever took good wood, that was
stealing, and we had respect for the builders, who sometimes would cut a piece
for us, or stack pieces for us to go through and take. They helped us out,
which helped us stay out of their way...we were kids and we were curious, and
who could not fall for the smell of fresh lumber, of diesel exhaust from back
hoes, and the sound of hammers nailing, armed by men who swung them instead of
using nail guns. We knew when the Canteen truck would come by and they would
buy a donut and coffee, and we would maybe buy a donut for a nickel. We hung
out with them, just far enough away so we weren’t a nuisance, but close enough
to hear the words we weren’t allowed to say yet, and weren’t really sure what
they meant anyway. We were taking advantage of a good situation, and enjoying
every bit of it being a kid. And getting an education, as we watched we saw
them measure twice and cut once. How they worked together building framework.
More than one home had our initials in the cement, guilty but not prosecuted.
We also learned about splinters first hand, how saws can cut through Wranglers,
hammers grow blisters, and looking out for nails, and how quickly they could
penetrate our new Keds, and require a tetanus shot...if we told our parents.
Many quality forts were built based on watching and learning, then using scraps
to build our own. We took pride in them, it was something we had built with our
own two hands with no help or interference from parents. We hung out in them,
reading comics, and arguing who was better, Betty or Veronica? We laughed at
MAD not knowing how sophisticated it was, and listened to the older guys talk
about girls. We were interested, but not too interested...they were still yucky
and had cooties, and not allowed in our forts. We used what was available, used
our own imaginations, limited skills, and borrowed scraps and built forts
together. Rarely as kids did we ever let a good situation go to waste...and
guided by the Little Rascals on TV every morning, each day was new and
exciting. Later when racing we would learn to run what you brung, as 10 year
olds we never let anything go to waste. At least not when a tree fort was
involved.
Times change, but it is really the people who change. Where once we looked
for ways to have fun, today society has too many rules, which means more rules
to break, which means more confrontations with authority, which means getting
caught and paying the price. When younger we built things, today we watch as
they are torn down, and in some cases never replaced. Any time we don’t get our
way, society now never lets a good crisis go to waste. We find them in
Ferguson, Baltimore, NYC, and other towns, where lack of morals has eroded the
base of decency, and turned kids into thugs, the latest word. Where kids once
built tree forts for unity and fun, now they riot and shoot at the police. They
cut fire hoses, loot businesses, and then further become prey to politicians,
always ready to take advantage of a good crisis, turning it around to make their
point. Never fighting or rioting, they hide behind those who do, until the next
crisis comes along, abandoning them, and leaving them worse than when they
entered the arena. No Corner Store to buy candy or a Coke, leaving debris
behind, and an invitation for the pusher to sell them nose candy or coke. They
are kids by age only, not by demeanor or life style. Proving at least to me
that politics and godliness run parallel to each other, and in opposite
directions.
As politicians create more laws, take advantage of more crises, and stand
back as the morals of our country erodes, maybe we need a tree fort mentality.
To use what is available creatively, building rather than rioting, working
together and playing together, giving ourselves a sense of value not found in
many today. When using wood to heat in Colorado we learned if you cut your own
wood, you heat yourself twice. Building strong bodies and minds faster then
Wonder Bread did in its 12 ways, and wefelt good about ourselves at the end of a
day. And slept well. Things we learned while doing, and seeing scripture come
alive, while not necessarily knowing it. We learn that if you WILL not work,
you won’t eat. Fat and lazy never built a tree fort. We will eat of the labor
of our hands, hard work makes you hungry, laziness makes you fat. We are
reminded that God put man in the Garden and told him to work it. No politics
here, where we are told to not be ashamed of our youth, but to be examples of
good things in speech and conduct. Never letting us grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap our reward. Jesus told us we reap what we sew,
the world calls it karma, but God knows, and sees. He calls it grace, and
mercy. And unless he builds the house, the fort, we labor in vain. So don’t
give up. Trust in God and let all men, politicians be liars. Now there is a
scripture loaded with truth. If you believe in God show it with your good
works, not to be saved, but so we can see God’s grace in you.
We built many forts from scraps, using cast off pieces, bent nails, and
learning many hands make light work. We were proud of our blisters, we removed
splinters from our friend’s hands, and we built something together. Something
we were proud of, that was our handiwork. It told about us, and when done we
rested in it for our labors. God is not finished with us yet, and that
something we are looking for is really someone, Jesus Christ. Without him, we
are like politicians serving our own goods, and laboring in vain. Maybe JFK
said it best, “ask not what your country can do for you, as what you can do for
your country.” Whether it is tree forts, families, or countries, turn to
Jesus while there is still time. The thief comes to steal and destroy, Jesus
came so that we can have life, and life abundant. Lots of tree forts, lots of
friends, lots of happiness aka blessings. Joy unspeakable, full of glory,
following God instead of man. Knowing God is fun, and what good is fun if you
don’t enjoy it? Maybe this tree fort thing has deeper roots than I thought,
seems there was a man from Nazareth who was a carpenter, who understood
callouses and nails. Who probably had a few splinters in his time, who died
nailed to a cross, and now is building us a place in heaven. A skill he learned
as a kid, and passes onto us today...showing that love rather than government
never lets a good crisis go to waste. Elect Jesus into your life today, and
enjoy eternal life. Build a tree fort or two in love, and don’t expect media
coverage. But God will know, and so will you. The fruit of the spirit, against
which there is no law. We were all those scraps of lumber once, only God can
build us into a temple for him to live in. Call it the parable of the tree
forts....and how a hammer and nails changed my life forever. In Christ.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com