Today is Monday, July 27th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1621
One afternoon the middle of last week, I had three helpers working with me to paint/repaint some spots on our barn doors. The barn badly needs to be reshingled; something that we have decided not to do because of the expense and the fact the barn is no longer used for much. It will be taken down some time in the not too distant future. Still some of the white doors need some repair and repaint in the interim to keep our farm buildings from looking like an abandoned farmstead.
Helpers included two of our grandchildren - Luke, five, and Molly, three; and a 12-year-old from church who was needing to work out some of his expenses for an upcoming short term mission trip. We successfully painted for parts of two hours.
Yesterday afternoon I was able to finish the one door which was left after our efforts, a handful of days earlier.
Guess what?
I think that I was able to paint about as much without the 'help' as I was with it. None of the three had any painting experience. My job was to help them to learn what I know, from someone else teaching me and life experiences after that.
If I wouldn't have explained to them how to paint boards and give them the opportunity to practice (on something that doesn't require 'great' painters!), how would they learn? They wouldn't have the fun of learning. I wouldn't have the opportunity to teach. We wouldn't have the experiences of working together on the project.
Made me think about how much 'instruction', 'working together', 'experiences' God has/wants for us as His Children. I think He could probably be able to 'teach' others a lot better, faster, more clearly........than He can using us.
But that isn't His point! He wants to teach us, lead us, guide us, show us His way of sharing and caring for others. He wants us to experience what it is like to 'know what He knows', even if it is just a small glimpse. He wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him and to share with and care for others. Think of it: He wants us to be part of His plan!
What a creative and wonderful God, You are, Father God! Thank You for making all of us part of Your overall plan! What a risk taker You are! I can't understand why You would choose us, use us, but You do. And for that I am grateful. Bless my efforts; bless our efforts today as we share some of what You have taught us with others. In the Name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.
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