Monday, October 1, 2007

The Screwdriver

Years ago we used to give away flowers to all of the women on mothers day and screwdrivers to all of the fathers on fathers day. I am not sure why that went away, probably too many people and too much time to pass them out.

Anyway, the screwdrivers that the dads would get were every variety: straight slot, phillips and torx. Now most people are familiar with straight slot and phillips, let me tell you about the torx screwdriver. Torx was invented for the automotive industry. It has a star shaped head and comes in about 10 sizes. The idea of the torx was that since people didn't own these tools, they would have to bring their cars back to the dealer for service.

Torx became available over the years and we gave some of them away with the regular slotted and phillips on fathers day.

Now, years later, Bob J from our church is working in his yard with a chainsaw. A part comes loose and the chain saw quits. He looks at how the part is adjusted and it is a torx. Since he doesn't have any torx, he does what all tool guys do. On the way to the garage he is thinking about what tool he does have that he can improvise to fix the chain saw.

So, he is looking around at his peg board for a good option to use on this fitting when he spies it. A screwdriver that he got on fathers day at church many years ago. Its a torx. No way that it will be the right size.

He pulls it down, and don't you know, it is a perfect fit.

A small gift given years before, an obscure tool, a memory from church comes to the rescue.

I like that story.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

1 comment:

fisher of men said...

Jeff,

There are many stories like the one you have mentioned. Each one is different but they all have a common theme, they all happend at Church or with our church family. You can not build memories or relationships if do not attend. You mentioned in an earlier blog about 80/20. That 20 percent is all about relationships and doing the good that God commands us do so many times in the Bible. Each and everyday we need to look for those family and friends that need a call, a note or a hug just to let them know that they are important to us and to God. They are God's best work. Has God popped into your head a name of a close friend, relitive or an accantance of the past. It is not by accident. That person is needing a call or visit from you. Last week I keep getting a thought in my head about a close friend. I wanted to call him but never got around to it. I found out the next day that his grandmother had died. I didn't make the call and I regret not being there when God was telling me that I needed to be there for him. How can we build relationships or memories if we are not there. Is God nugging you or putting names into your thoughts. List to the still small voice.


Yes it is a beautiful day in God's world. We are alive to see one more of his masterpieces. Be sure to see the Good, but be sure to do the Good.

Remember, strangers are just family we haven't met yet.

Keep casting out God's lure.

Fisher of Men