The winter air and Texas sun I have been living under for so long, along with the thoughtful lyrics from the Avett Brothers have me wondering how thankful I really am for the blessings I have received.
During the construction of a building, the most intimidating portion of the project is rarely the heavy work; clearing, foundation, framing, masonry, plumbing, electric. The scariest part of a project is the finishing touches. Sure, you can install a breaker panel with 500amps to provide as much, or more power as you will ever need, but put the outlet in the wrong place and that power is rendered useless. (ask any man with a wife that needs her plugs for the "getting ready" equipment) Put up wall after wall of sheet rock, tape and bed, float and texture, but paint those walls the wrong color and it's the difference between an easy sell or no sale. You can play this little game with every aspect of a big project; windows/drapes, kitchen/counter-space, living room/cable connection, and on and on, never to be perfect. Each project is a future renovation long before the final touches are complete.
We were born with a renovation already in progress. Whether you believe it or not, we are under a constant "improvement" process that can be fine detail touches, or major tear out remodels. Constantly improving, but never being satisfied until the project is complete, though like most renovations, the clutter and frustration can slow the speed with which we would like to see results. At those times, it always seems we find something to be excited about. "Look at how much room we have now!", "The garden looks so colorful!", "Now everyone can sit down for dinner!" Shortly after any of these wonderful moments will come the complaints..."All this room, and no furniture to fill it!", "Is that a weed?!", "Everyone's coming here for the holiday, now I have to cook and clean!"
Blessings/improvements are a funny thing. With each blessing comes an added (here it comes) responsibility. And here is the really tough part, we are blessed EVERY DAY! You know that feeling you get when you go to the beach and look out to the ocean? "Man, I am really small in the big picture of things", "I am insignificant, so why try?", "What value can I really add?" Well, my friend, you are one of the "details" in the big scope of things. Sure, I'm a light switch, great...but what if that light switch allows the parents of a small child to check-in on them at night? Great, I'm a door knob, but what if that door knob is on the door of a church? Awesome, I am a vaulted ceiling, but what if that ceiling is in a hall where music resonates for everyone to enjoy?
Overblown? A little, maybe, but here are a few more that may hit home. I'm just a fisherman, what value do I add? I'm a dishwasher, an accountant, a carpenter. Each is a finishing touch on a wonderful work being created in love. Each of us plays a part, and while a sprinkler head only works for about 7-20 minutes 2-3 times a week, look at the results that can be produced. Even better, the sprinkler head does that work without even realizing it is happening. It's automatic. We are the details and we impact people every day, whether we know it, or not. Sure, the sprinkler head needs adjustments, as do we, but we have the ability to move freely and be moved to do the right things. Who better to place the sprinkler, than the person who designed the garden?
Back to wondering if I am thankful enough for the blessings I have received. I wonder if I am thankful for the opportunity to be a blessing when needed. Whether I am a road flare, only to be used once to help others, or a light house that others look to for comfort and direction every day, I am thankful that I am a detail in a set of plans much bigger than I can comprehend.
Merry Christmas!
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