So after having a couple of days given to us by our hosts to adjust, it was our first day of ministry. It was either helping at the orphanage (we have a schedule) or being available to help with whatever around the house or grounds. My first day was an “off” day, meaning I wasn’t scheduled but I felt fine so I waited to be put to work. My job was sanding bricks to clean the cement and mildew off. This way, they can be lacquered and make a statement rather than just be a functional wall.
It is funny what you can learn from a random task. As I was thinking back on what I was doing, I remember trying to use force to clean the brick faster with the sand paper but force doesn’t make it go faster, it just makes you tired and either makes you slow down or it makes you quit.
I also just needed the sandpaper to do its job and use some pressure to make them clean. The brick will never look the same as it did when it was first made. But now, by being built into that wall it has a purpose, it is seen, it will show the wear and tear of life. Now, the brick is better than just sitting in a pile, not being used for anything.
Back to the cleaning of brick. The first time they were cleaned, big obvious chunks where removed. Then, came the heavy duty sandpaper to remove the surface stains. This doesn’t mean everything was gone, some required a second attempt. Finally, there is the fine sandpaper that refines the surface and smooths out the scratches and scars left over from the heavy duty cleaning. The bricks are not the same as they were before, they are better. Each brick now has its own unique scarring and look.
All of this to tell you, these bricks reminded me of myself. After living life, there are… were… I don’t know, big obvious hurts and errors in judgement that by working through with the Lord I have been able to remove. Then, there was the hard work of trying to get to the bottom of other issues. It was painful and at times seemed to leave scars worse than the original problem. If I tried to force the issue I would have become discouraged or quit. But, I have learned, it was all part of God refining me and making me pure and a better version of myself.
