|
Tool Kit
by Theresa Franklin Psalm139:14 says: I will praise thee; for, I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. This verse tells me that I am unique. I was designed by the Master for specific work and equipped with the tools necessary to complete the tasks. Within my tool kit are tools such as skills, personality, mind set, emotional stability, sense of humor, values, beliefs, expectations, environment, and numerous other features. Unlike traditional tools such as a hammer and screwdriver, our tools are not independent of each other. They are combined at different times to form a needed tool for a particular situation. Like any fine craftsman, we need to take care of our tools. Occasionally we need to examine them for wear and tear, usually caused by misuse of the tool. We need to inventory them and be accountable to the Master craftsman who trusted them to us. Have we lost any because we failed to use them? Are we using them for the purpose they were given to us? It is admirable for a person to have an organized home, but shouldn't that tool of organization also be used for the Lord who provided it? Shouldn't a man who has been given the tool of a mechanic's mind use it to further the cause of Christ? Shouldn't a great salesman use his gift of gab to welcome others into the house of God? As a young bride in a new church, I accompanied an older woman on visitation. We were asked to visit a former church member now residing in a nursing home. Now I didn't know this woman and certainly knew nothing about living in a nursing home, but I went along. As we sat beside her bed, the resident complained about the facility, the food, and the care she received. My visitation partner, almost the age of the patient, looked around the room and said, "Why this is a pretty room. I think I'd like it here." I looked around the room and saw cold grey walls with no kind of decoration anywhere. When the pastor asked me how the visit had gone, I replied, "If I ever get sick, please send Mrs. Talbot to see me." Then I explained how she had seen something positive in a situation where there seemed to be none. What a wonderful tool Mrs. Talbot had and she used it often to lift the spirits of those who were down. A quiet, unassuming lady in the church wanted to serve the Lord. She felt that she had no talent to give. In her mind, she was a middle-aged woman who had raised her kids and knew how to cook and clean for her husband. She couldn't teach, sing, or speak to anyone without becoming tongue-tied. She met with the pastor about her desire to serve. After listening to her for a while, he asked, "Are you busy tomorrow?" "No, why?" "Could you possibly drive Mr. and Mrs. Jones to the hospital? He has to have some tests run and she doesn't drive. It will take all day, but would be a blessing if you could spare the time." The lady who thought she had too much time on her hands, jumped at the chance. Eventually this became her ministry. At least twice a month, she drove a family sixty miles to the hospital, waited all day for them and then deposited them safely back home. Serving God doesn't have to be complicated. It just means using the gifts or tools God gave you to honor and worship Him. I encourage you to look in your tool kit. Look way over there in the corner. Is there some small tool that you've forgotten about, just waiting to be used for the glory of God? Is there a need at your church that could be filled with a tool from your tool kit? Theresa Franklin is a retired public school educator and began writing full-time after retirement. She writes for both children and adults. She can be reached at [email protected] and www.storiesforchrist.com. Credit to the author must be included when reprinting this article. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |