Close only counts in horseshoes is a good lesson to be reminded of. Close
in other matters just don’t make it. In shop class, Mr. Reid was the teacher,
and he was all about shop projects. We each were to design a project, submit
the plans, then submit the requisition for lumber and built it. Most of the
class showed talent, with me it was a short trip to frustration. Which extended
into my adult years, where no one in our house would allow me to use tools. It
was dangerous to any one who got close, so many times the kids would run and rat
me out to Theresa when something needed fixing. But what I learned in shop
class, aside from making sawdust, stuck with me. And a lesson learned can be a
life saver when fixing something you have no right fixing. The lesson was
simple, measure twice, then cut. Who thinks these pearls of wisdom up anyway?
But I learned the hard way, and what I learned in Mrs. Parks’ geometry class was
applied in real life. To find the length of the third side of a triangle, the
equation is a+b+c, after squaring each side first. Which I didn’t do, and ended
up making a box with a pointed roof that was inches too short. Thus creating
the first dilemma, and the second was trying to glue it in place, using scraps.
It looked like it sounds-%$#&*&! But somehow through perseverance and
begging, with a lot of help and sympathy from Mr. Reid, I got it fixed, and
displayed it proudly. Without ever signing my name to it, all you had to do to
figure it was mine was by careful elimination of the other student’s names, and
guilty I was. Measure twice, cut once-good advice, which only works if
taken.
A few years back Theresa bought an atomic clock, which never worked. Now
we have clocks in the den, bedroom, two in the kitchen, one in the living room,
and one on the computer. But somehow none of them never match. And this is
where the second lesson of the terrible twos comes into play. With one watch
you know what time it is, with two you are never sure. So I have fallen back on
the reason why I don’t wear a watch, I just tell someone that that way I am
never late. And if asked what time it is at home, we say about. And depending
how late, or how early you want to be, we have many clocks to choose from. With
built in excuses. And then there is the clock in the garage, where the hands
are loose, and go faster from 12 to 6, and slower from 6 to 12. I figure it all
comes out equal, but with no real time to compare it too, I can always use the
clock on the Street Triple. Which keeps time different than the Tiger, or the
Mustang. Can’t read the face on the Ranger radio, so if I am late, it must be
your fault, not mine. And another important lesson learned is even a broken
clock is right twice a day. No equation needed.
Now we all fall into the trap that James warns us of, a double minded man
is unstable in all his ways. I can be blessed, and a blessing, and then some
jerk cuts me off, and I want to kill. This precious creature created in God’s
image, that He loves just as much as me, I can go from blessed to stupid in less
than 2 seconds, no watch needed. So I try to ask God’s blessings on cars while
I pass them, rather than curse them. Puts me in a better mood, until the next
time. Now it is true that stupid hurts, and you can’t fix it, but yet we try.
We take on the task that Jesus gives us, love Him first, and your neighbor, but
don’t let Him guide us. We become like Abraham and Sarah, God gives us a job to
do, through a vision, and rather than following Him, we set off on our own. I’ll
take it from here God. Just like Sarah told Abraham to do, why wait, it seems
impossible, you can have my hand maiden. Not counting the cost, maybe like the
measure twice, cut once, we should ask twice, test the spirit, then move on it.
If God says it, it will come to pass. And for A & S it did, Abraham would
become the father of many, not just the Jews, but the race through Ishmael,
today’s Arabs. God knew it all the time, and if God forgives him, He certainly
can and will forgive us. But what if we measure first, then act? We never
count the price of sin, but underestimate the power of forgiveness. That do
unto other part getting lost in the translation. So when Jesus, who was also a
carpenter, and I am sure knew all about measuring, tells us to count the cost,
maybe He knows from practical experience. And legend tells us He was a
finishing carpenter, making yokes, a specialty. Maybe the best advice to take
is after we cut without measuring is to take His yoke, for it is easy. Amazing
how the Bible can be used in every day life.
Just imagine if Noah hadn’t used God’s plans. Which are so good, that
ships today are built using the same dimensions. God was the first and still
the best ship builder, imagine what He could have taught us in shop class? But
Noah did listen, and was saved. Maybe a lesson so trite we miss it, listen to
God and be saved. Saved from hell, from stupid, from do overs, and making
excuses. From producing only sawdust. Maybe that is why He made us with two
ears, to listen twice as much as we speak. And to make hearing the last thing
to go before death. And you can control your speaking, but not your hearing.
Do I see a perfect plan?
So man plans, God laughs, and He forgives. He provides the glue when I
break, keeps me secure in His love, and guides me by His spirit. All without
power tools, using the tool of self control He gave me. So be single minded, it
is a compliment, being accused of being like Jesus. And I can attest to the
fact that He is pretty good at plumbing, gardening, an ace mechanic, and a
wonderful counselor. But is most effective only when used. Now about the
time....funny how He never hurried, but was never late. Hey man, got the time?
Maybe it is just too many clocks.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
