A Carpenter's Apprentice

There's a man in our congregation. One of the most humble men I know. He works tirelessly at two jobs to provide for his family and when he comes home, he serves endlessly. His name is Mark.

Mark is a "jack of all trades." And he's a self-taught expert in all of them. His 72 year old best friend, Johnny, recent fell and broke his femur bone. The injury will confine Johnny to a wheel chair for at least 6 months as he endures physical therapy and allows time for the leg to completely heal. In the mean time, Johnny will need a ramp to his door. And because of the height of his front door, he needs 60 feet of ramp.

Mark has never built a ramp before...but he's built just about everything else. So he took the design provided by medical personnel and improved upon it. Mark is building the "temple" of all ramps. It's U-shaped with four landing platforms and there isn't anything in this natural world that can destroy it. This ramp is solid.

Saturday morning, Mark was given the morning off from work. So I got a phone call and headed over to the house to help with the ramp. Upon arrival, I quickly confessed my inadequacies. But I could follow instructions. Mark had already built the first platform and foundation for the first ramp. He needed the platform secured and the floor boards to be placed and secured on the first ramp. He showed me how to do the first board. Then he handed me the tools and left me to the work.

We talked for a bit while we worked. We took a break and he showed me his workshop that he had built with recycled wood from a 19th century home. I was amazed. And I knew I could learn a lot from Mark. We talked and worked a little more. Then he left for his job where he works at a local prison.

And I was left alone.

At first I felt like the karate kid. :) But, unlike Ralph Macchio, I knew what this service was preparing me for. And I was grateful for the chance. I don't have many opportunities to provide service that really benefits someone else. I can sing...and I can give a good Sunday school lesson...and I can teach someone about basic insurance and risk management...but I'm not a doctor, I'm not a scientist, I'm not an engineer, I'm not a lawyer, I'm not a car mechanic...

But Saturday, I was a carpenter's apprentice. And I thought that was quite fitting for December. I wish I could share the mental picture I took as I paused from putting the next floor board down and looked out across the yard. It was heavily wooded with 3 guinea hens off in the distance, some chickens, a turkey, a few dogs, some rabbits, a landscaped pond with a small cascading waterfall, and a pleasant December temperature with sunny skies. I enjoyed the solitude.

And I thought, "This is what Christmas is about." I don't often have opportunities where I can truly help someone through service...do something that really does make a difference. If this was the only reason we moved to Virginia, I would be satisfied. It has made it all worth it. There is only one true Carpenter. And He is building me into who I need to become. He is providing me with experiences and opportunities that I need. I love being the Carpenter's apprentice. I have so much to learn.

So this December is turning out to be a very special one. For the next 3 weeks, the wood I will be working with will be a constant reminder for me. I hope it makes a lasting impression.