My Father’s Tools

In the prime of his life, my dad was a carpenter and a woodworker. My childhood memories are filled with the buzzing of ban saws, lathes, planers and drills.  The smell of sawdust and freshly applied finishes often brought a sense of comfort to me. Dad was out in the garage creating, shaping and molding everything from bowls to bookshelves.  The things he’s made for me over the years will always be remembered, even if I no longer have some of those pieces.  A coffee table, a very rustic TV stand made from authentic barn boards, the frame of an embroidered piece of artwork, brought to the US from Sweden by my grandmother are just a few of them.  But the crowning piece of his woodworking treasures is a 54″, 4 harness floor loom made from walnut. This piece sits in my living room and is always the topic of conversation with those who enter our doors.

My dad’s health is rapidly failing.  He’s frail and weak and it’s been a long time since his tools have buzzed.   Since Tim, my husband, has helped him at times and has an interest in carrying on the July (my maiden name) woodworking hobby, Dad wanted Tim to have his tools when he was no longer able to use them.   This weekend we returned from visiting my mom and dad with a van full of his tools.  It’s very bitter-sweet as we see them sitting in our garage.  I can hardly look at them without picturing my dad in front of them, crafting one of his beautiful creations.

We have a Heavenly Father who also uses tools to craft beautiful pieces of art.  Scripture says in Isaiah 64:8, “O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”  God uses his Word to mold us, the Holy Spirit to shape us, and other believers to refine us.  Just as my dad used his tools to make beautiful things, God does the same.  God is the potter who gradually forms us into the people He wants us to be.

Are you willing to let God continue to work on you?  Can you trust him that all his molding, shaping and firing is to create a beautiful vessel that will carry His love to a hurting and broken world?   Allow Him to finish His work, dear ones.  You will become a rare, one of a kind piece in His collection.