One morning last week, Angi and I painted the exterior of the transition house
in the Moldovan village of Cornesti.
Um, it was more like using water colors.
The paint was very thin, and we applied it using a different kind of brush.
Now that it’s dry, there is thankfully a faint blue-ish wash.
Still not satisfying, though.
Not as satisfying as hoeing up the whole backyard and seeing it go from being green to brown
(like we did on the other days).
Angi called it an exercise in futility.
I prefer to consider it as TRAINING.
(And not just for a potential future career in painting.)
While we were working, the phrase “Wax on, wax off” kept coming to my mind –
you know, from the movie Karate Kid.
In the movie, Danny wants to learn how karate,
but Master Miyagi puts him to work waxing his car and painting his fence.
Eventually, those movements are useful in fighting, but in the meantime,
Danny learns other valuable lessons as well.
For me and Angi, as for Danny, painting felt like a meaningless chore.
But sometimes there is greater, secret purpose behind the simple tasks of life
that only the Master sees until He chooses to reveal them.
Hmm, deep thoughts …
