Bridges

Photo Credit:  Ahborson from morgueFile.com

I love it when people use their God-given talents.  I am especially in awe of those talents that seem so extraordinary to me.  One of those talents is that of woodworking.  I’ve seen the magic that some men and women can do with simple pieces of wood.  They can create cabinets, book shelves, beautiful furniture, tables, chairs, desks, benches, swings, and the list is endless!

About eight years ago, my husband and I assembled a large wooden playset in the yard for the kiddos.  Have you ever had the unique pleasure of doing that?  Well, let me tell you – if you can make it out of that project still married, you can make it through anything!  Ha!  There were gigantic boxes full of a gazillion pieces of wood, screws, nails, other random items, and a set of instructions. By the grace of God, that thing was eventually built.  However, during that time is when I developed a deep appreciation for all of those woodworkers out there.

Many times, I can’t even get a nail straight in the wall.  Wham!  Oops, it bent to the left a little bit.  Whack!  Let me try to make it straight again.  Nope.  Now, it’s bent to the right.  Grrrrrr.  Let me chunk this nail in the trash and start all over.  Don’t EVEN think about looking under the things hanging on my walls.  You will be dazed and confused by the quantity of nail holes.  Shhhh…don’t tell my husband.

How in the world do master woodworkers do it?  With all the measurements, precise cuts, intricate angles, hand-picked materials, perfect tools, and detailed schematics – I’m amazed!  Truly amazed. There was a website I found that said, “We sell plans so detailed that the projects practically build themselves.”  Now, THAT I’d like to see!

All of this talk about woodworking brings me to two stories that I’d like to share.  The first one will provoke some thought and the second one will probably give you a giggle or two.

Story #1 from Mikey’s Funnies:

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict.  It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then, the long collaboration fell apart.  It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words, followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on the older brother’s door.  He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox.  "I'm looking for a few days’ work," he said.  "Perhaps you would have some small jobs here and there.  Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother.  "I do have a job for you.  Look across the creek at that farm.  That's my neighbor.  In fact, it's my younger brother.  Last week, there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.  Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better.  See that pile of lumber curing by the barn?  I want you to build me a fence, an 8-foot fence, so I won't need to see his place anymore.  That’ll cool him down, anyhow.”

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation.  Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.  The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, and nailing.  About sunset, when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped.  There was no fence there at all.  It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other!  It was a fine piece of work with handrails and all.  And the neighbor, his younger brother, was heading his way, with his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."  The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, hugging.  They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.  "No, wait!  Stay a few days.  I have a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

Story #2 about bridges:

A man walking along a California beach was deep in prayer.  Suddenly, the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, “Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish.”

Without hesitation, the man said, “Build a bridge to Hawaii, so I can drive over anytime I want.”

The Lord said, “Your request is very materialistic.  Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking - the supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific; the concrete and steel it would take; it would nearly exhaust several natural resources!  I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things.  Take a little more time and think of something that would honor and glorify me.”

The man thought about it for a long time.  Finally, he said, “Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife.  For example, I want to know how she feels inside, what she’s thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says ‘nothing’s wrong,’ and how I can make a woman like her truly happy.”

The Lord replied, “Hmmmm - do you want two or four lanes on that bridge?” (Hee hee!)

We may not be able to figure each other out – why we do the things we do or don’t do or why we say the things we say or don’t say.  However, let’s try our best this week to build bridges instead of breaking them down or burning them completely.

We may not all be handy with wood, but I think that each of us has some woodworking talent within and that is for…building bridges.

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines!

Before & After

Priceless photo taken by Brandy

Well, hello there, Sunshines!  Yes, it’s me.  I’m here!  I’m here!  As I looked back at the last blog that I wrote at the end of May, I indicated, “My writing schedule will be a bit sporadic over the next several weeks as I spend some time with my family and friends.”  I did, in fact, spend much time with family and friends over the summer.  However, my writing schedule wasn’t a bit sporadic.  It was virtually non-existent, wasn’t it?  Yes, it truly was.

Nonetheless, I assure you that I was using my time super-duper-fruitfully while making awesome memories at the lake, the river, the beach, the pool, and anywhere else a body of water might be!  I was also polishing up the last few details for the cover of my upcoming children’s book, Gabriel’s Golden Key.  My summer goal was to have my book ready for the fall, just in time to be the perfect purchase for a Christmas gift!  Soooo….stay tuned for the fall release date, my sunshiny friends!

I pray that your June and July were also blessed with health, memorable times, rest, and relaxation.  Then, there’s that eighth little month of the year called August.  August is synonymous with the start of school, so countless folks rejoice in August, while others cringe.  Some of the kiddos started school in the middle of August and some began at the end of the month.  In fact, many of our college students began this week. 

For our fam, the start of school means earlier bedtimes and wake times, hellacious mountains of paperwork to fill out and sign, lunches to pack, school supplies to purchase and label, a few new outfits to wear, and some giggles.  Giggles?  Yes, for me, at least.  After the first day of school, I was perusing facebook for all those precious back-to-school pictures that everyone posts.  I ran across the one above from my sweet friend, Brandy.

I couldn’t stop smiling at the before-and-after shot she captured.  It was a classic.  I love before-and-after pictures anyway and this one was a genuine, 100% REAL deal!  In the morning, those gals were peppy and ready to go!  After a long day at school, they were zonked!  Completely wiped out!  I’m certain that the “after” picture could be found in over 90% of cars or buses – students and teachers alike!  Ha!

I’m always amazed at some of the before-and-after photos that I see online – whether it be someone’s picture after months of exercise and eating right or a fancy make-up artist’s talented work – it’s a thrill for me to see.

There are some other “before-and-after” things that I think about.  For instance, my Uncle Erol sent me an e-mail with six tiny stories that had great meanings.  BEFORE reading them, I had my own idea of what each of these virtues meant.  AFTER reading them, I had a better appreciation for the words.  Here goes:

• During an incredibly dry season, all the people in a farming village decided to pray for rain.  On the day of prayer, everyone gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella.  That's FAITH.
• When you throw a baby in the air, she laughs.  Why?  Because she knows you will catch her.  That's TRUST.
• Every night we go to bed and we don’t have any assurance of being alive the next morning.  However, we still set our alarms to wake us up.  That's HOPE.
• We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of having zero knowledge of the future.  That's CONFIDENCE.
• We see the world suffering, but we still get married and have children.  That's LOVE.
• On an elderly man's shirt was written a statement - I am not 90 years old…I am sweet 16 with 74 years of experience.  That's ATTITUDE.

With ideas of before-and-after running through my head today, I also want to share a thought-provoking story from my friend at Mikey’s Funnies:

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class taught by her teacher, Dr. Smith.  She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate lessons.  One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.  On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.

Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry in the past.  Then he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's friend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend.  Another friend drew a picture of his little brother.  Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face.  Sally was pleased at the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts.  Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart.  Sally looked forward to her turn, but was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat down, thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.  Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus.

A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

Dr. Smith said only these words, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me" (Matthew 25:40).

No other words were necessary.  The tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.

With the beginning of school and all the fatigue and stresses that can come with that, I guess this is a good time to remember to try and look for Christ in everyone this week…BEFORE we throw the dart.  Once the dart has been thrown, we can’t take it back.  Once the damaging words have been said…once the hurtful actions have been done…we can’t undo them.

Here’s to thinking BEFORE we speak, so that we don’t regret the AFTER.

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines!

18 Summers

Photo Credit:  lauramusikanski from morgueFile.com

Summertime has come, my friends,

The school year’s done, for here it ends.

What will we do to pass each day?

Some camps, vacation, work, and play?

Maybe a mission trip’s in the plan?

How ‘bout cross-country in a van?

Veg on the couch or hit the gym?

Will we bend our knees in prayer with Him?

Will we practice hoops and football throws?

Or water gardens in perfect rows?

Will we canoe or paint a scene?

Tackle the closets and finally clean?

Do some shopping or stay at home?

Travel nearby or go out and roam?

How much or little can we pack?

In that suitcase, bag, or sack?

Have we planned our days to the hour?

Will we take some time to smell that flower?

It’s such a task to balance it all.

Have fun and work some, all before fall.

We have 18 summers with our kids.

Will we have “should haves,” could haves,” or “dids?”

From birth to grad day isn’t that long,

Life’s an adventure, a beautiful song.

Grab some fishing or swim at the beach.

Hike in the mountains while eating a peach.

Whatever you do, make it count.

18 summers – that is the amount.

Cuddle the kids, grab hugs and kisses.

Praise 2-point baskets, forget the misses.

Turn up the music and sing it loud.

Dance alone or in a crowd.

Amidst mosquitos and humid days,

Let’s thank God for the morning rays.

Kids might whine that they’re bored,

Let’s try to remember to thank you, Lord,

For each hot day’s a gift from you.

18 summers – what will we do?

Celebrate our days or waste the time?

Spend some cash or not even a dime.

Embrace this summer’s number, whatever it happens to be,

Summer 6, 9, and 12 are the numbers for me.

The kiddos are growing up so fast,

Grab some shades - make memories to last!

Happy Summer, Sunshines!  My writing schedule will be a bit sporadic over the next several weeks as I spend some time with my family and friends.  I wish you all the best as you embrace your summer…whatever number you’re on!  Enjoy it to the fullest!