After the shaping is complete, while the pieces are still spinning on the lathe, I follow a 13 step sanding process. The process smoothes, polishes, and perfects the pen barrels; you can no longer call them antlers because they have been shaped into something new. The sanding process begins with a very course sand paper to smooth off the rough spots. Each progressive step uses a finer grade of paper, ending with a very fine grade that finishes the piece. The proper amount of pressure and time must be used in each step. Too much pressure or time will mar the finish.
In 1 Peter 1:6-7 the Apostle Peter says, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” God not only uses trials to shape us but also to refine our faith. I can be confident that “he who began a good work in (me) will carry it on to completion” Philippians 1:6. God is the Master Craftsman; He knows how long and how much pressure it will take to complete His work in me. Job 23:10, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Meditation starters:
Am I facing trials that God is using to refine my faith?
Will I trust the Master craftsman to skillfully work in my life?
Welcome to my blog!
I have often been amazed at how someone can take something of no value to anyone else and transform it into some beautiful piece of art or something that is useful and valuable. What had been discarded, lost, or forgotten takes on a new life in the hands of the craftsman that sees, not the trash that it is, but the value and potential of what it can become. My uncle has always been good at seeing the value where others cannot. He looks at a deer antlers and sees pens, stands, and jewlery. He has been crafting exquisite writing instruments, which are more a work of art than a pen, for the past five years. His pens have sold at the Thomas Kincaid & Terry Redlin Galliers, fine jewlery stores, and boutiques throughout the United States.
I have been fortunate enough that my uncle has taught me his trade. Working at the lathe I have many quite moments to reflect. It is here that God impresses upon me His procee of shaping and molding a man. God sees in me the value that He created me to have, when all I see is failure and worthlessness. He loving works in my life to take away everything that hinders me from being all that He desires. He skillfully sands and polishes until I shine with His glory. And ultimately, when He is done, I find new meaning and purpose that I have not know before.
Each time I look at one of my pens I can't help but thank God for shaping me into something beautiful! I hope you enjoy reading "Lessons from the Lathe".
I have been fortunate enough that my uncle has taught me his trade. Working at the lathe I have many quite moments to reflect. It is here that God impresses upon me His procee of shaping and molding a man. God sees in me the value that He created me to have, when all I see is failure and worthlessness. He loving works in my life to take away everything that hinders me from being all that He desires. He skillfully sands and polishes until I shine with His glory. And ultimately, when He is done, I find new meaning and purpose that I have not know before.
Each time I look at one of my pens I can't help but thank God for shaping me into something beautiful! I hope you enjoy reading "Lessons from the Lathe".
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment