Note: when I get better internet, I will upload pictures with this.
On Monday night Tony, one of our ministry contacts, briefed us on what Tuesday will hold, asking for volunteers after each option. I couldn’t keep my hand down longer than the first. For the past two days we only had one bathroom to use because the other had a missing door with no curtain to put in its place. He wanted to change that, so he needed two people to fix a door to the frame. This sounded great because this past summer I worked as a maintenance man fixing a host of apartment and household problems, including doors. Figured it should be fun and a great reminder of what Joel and Josh (my bosses) had taught me those three months.
So Abby and I (also known as G-squad since we’re gingers) decided to partner and work on it together.
When the morning began I was excited to use my old skill set and see how much I had retained. As we inspected the frame and door, Abby and I quickly realized that more work needed to be done than just a quick screws in and door up job. The hinges were too big for the door and frame, both in width and height, and the slots made for the hinge on the frame didn’t match the placement on the door.
Although we had most of the tools, some creativity would come into play to create the slots for the hinges. Our host didn’t have a tool to cut out the hinge slots and our miniature saw would score lines. After, we hammered a flat head screwdriver to chisel out chips until the hinge lay flush in the slot.
Since we didn’t have power drill, we screwed in the nails the old fashion way. With a screwdriver. Into hard wood. To start the holes and remove some of the fight, we first hammered a nail where we wanted to put the screw. Then removed the nail and put in the screw.
Once the hinges got up, and the door onto the frame, we noticed we had a problem. Our door was about three inches too short for the door width. So we asked Tony for some extra material and showed him why we needed it.
After he creepily peeked his eye through the crack, he handed us extra wood he said, “Be creative, please just close the gap. We don’t want to have to kill the spiers.”
A few pieces of scrap wood, extra screws, and some handyman tricks later, you have what you see below.
I don’t tell you this story to glorify my handyman skills. At the end of the day, they aren’t that impressive. Also, Tony would have given us some useful direction if we asked.
But this is what I do know. I took that summer job with Joel and Josh prior to applying for the World Race. I learned how to fix doors and use tools for purposes beyond their intended use prior to even thinking that I might get to use those skills on the Race.
God knew though. Scripture tells us that God has plans for us to prosper and have a future, and it’s difficult for me to believe that can be done without a little preparation of the heart, soul, mind, and/or strength. We don’t always know when he is preparing us, what he is preparing us for, or how he is preparing us. I took that summer job because I needed one, it sounded fun and rewarding, and I wanted to work with my best friend before he headed off to seminary. In those blessings, God blessed me in other ways far beyond what I imagined or expected. He blessed this ministry that I’m now working with by teaching me some tricks and how to fit a door. He even blesses us in blessings! Crazy cool, huh?
So, if you’re ever wondering if or when the Lord is working, I encourage you to just give it some time and let Him show off.
