In the Toolshed

I've thought a lot lately about tools.

And no- not those jerky guys that use people. Even though that's always what one of my friends snickers about when I say the word "tool". Oh goodness.

I mean actual tools. Screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches. Mediums through which the master builder changes his work.

I have always wanted to be a "tool" in the Lord's hands. As in- God loves all His children, but His physical hands don't touch them right now, even though He is trying to change them and build them. I've always wanted to be that tool- that medium through which God could work.

The problem is- when you're not the builder, it's hard to know where you're supposed to go, who you're supposed to help, and what you're supposed to do. Are you supposed to be a hammer? A wrench? Who needs my help? And what do they need? Do they need someone to make them food? Do they need someone to babysit their kids? Do they need a shoulder to cry on? Do they need to be left alone? And how am I supposed to know?

This is the most confusing part for me- knowing where to go, and what to do. I can be all ready- all willing and wanting to love someone in a way that will mean a lot for them in a big way, a way that I can be God's hands in their life for a moment. It's just hard to find the right person at the right time and recognize it. How do I know where I'm supposed to wait to be in that right spot when I'm needed?

And then, today, it hit me.

In the toolshed.

Duh. :)

What is the toolshed? Well, let me start by talking about what it's not, at least to me. The toolshed is not endless hours on Netflix. It's not a week schedule full of doing things soley for your benefit- your career, your school, your appearance, your belongings.

To me, being in the toolshed means being actively working on good things. This is key to being in the right place at the right time. Do your visiting teaching, say yes when people ask for favors or service project labor. Volunteer to help others, and be happy about it. Make food and let people eat it. If you're not trying to help people in small ways that barely matter, you won't be prepared to help them in big ways that make a world of difference.

Being in the toolshed also means being watchful and careful, and thinking long and hard about the people around you. Try to read them. See where what they love, and try to see what hurts them. And then ask God about it. And then make it better for them.

Sometimes we're all ready, all willing to be used by God for great things, but He doesn't need us right now. Sometimes we sit in the toolshed unused for a while. But the key is that we're there- in the toolshed, willing, and waiting, and watchful.

But other times- because we're doing our visiting teaching and service consistently, those we serve need help in huge ways, and we are all ready to help them, because we already love them, already know them, and they already trust us enough to allow us into their most vulnerable parts where we can heal and serve.