Drying Out

Making lumber is a process that requires considerable time and energy. Being able to work through the entire journey from tree to finished product is something not many folks get to experience. One part of the process that many people might not consider is the need to get fresh cut lumber dry enough to use. When a tree is first milled (cut into boards), that material is as much as 30% water. For some purposes, it might be usable in that condition. If, however, you wish to make a piece of furniture that won't fall apart, the moisture content needs to get down to about 7%. That means stacking the boards in layers with strips of wood (stickers) between the layers and covering the stack with something to keep rain and snow off. After a year or preferably two, the stack can be moved indoors for final drying. Unless one has access to a kiln, the drying process simply takes a lot of time. The tree that's cut into boards today will likely be incorporated into a table, desk, or whatever a couple years from now at the earliest.

There are stacks of lumber as described above sitting around is several places on the property. The latest ones having just been topped off this week. This woodworking stuff in its entirety gets spread out over a long time, much of which is simply waiting for the wood to dry. As I got thinking about the nature of this process, it occurred to me that much of our lives are like the stacks of lumber, slowly getting closer to the point where they can be used in a purposeful way. I firmly believe that we are all in this world with a God-given purpose and when we figure out how He wants to use us, we need to prepare and use the talents and resources He has provided. In the meantime, we might find ourselves just like those stacks of drying lumber. We're getting closer to where we need to be in order to be useful. In order to do woodworking right, patience is required. We need to wait for the lumber to dry. As God prepares us, again patience is necessary. There's a good chance that some of the lumber I stacked up this week will be used by someone after my life is over. And that is another analogy between woodwork and Christian living. If we are concerned about others, we don't worry about drying only enough wood for ourselves.

ourselves.