When someone dabbles in woodwork and makes stuff for as long as I have, some of those projects get some mileage on them. I know that some cutting boards I made and some wooden eggs are half way around the world. Cutting boards are a favorite hostess gift and it seems that a practical thing like that is generally appreciated. My wife asked for wooden eggs to hand out to folks on a mission trip to Kenya. Here again the egg, a symbol for life, made from something that was once alive was appreciated and they got distributed far and wide. There is great satisfaction in knowing something you have done has positively affected another and the distance some of these little projects traveled makes it even more interesting. How what we do affects other folks should be of utmost concern for all of us and now and again I get a story that would indicate that, at least occasionally, I have been helpful. One of those stories came along in the last twenty-four hours.
I love Facebook. I probably spend too much time scrolling along checking on the things my friends find worthy of posting. But the connections that have been made with folks I might never have heard from again is my favorite part. Last night as I logged on there was a message from someone whose name I didn't recognize. I didn't recognize the name because she was a former student and, as might be expected, now has a different last name. What she had to say nearly brought me to tears, "You were, hands down, my all time favorite teacher." She added, "I still use the dining table I made in your class." Turns out that after graduation, her life was filled with tribulation. But she discovered that positive thinking can turn lemons into lemon ice cream. I know, I know that's not how the saying goes. She discovered a way to make good choices and now is in the business of helping others put the pieces back together. You might enjoy her web site.
When all is said and done, all we have is our interaction with other people. We never can be quite sure if what we do for another is helpful. Sometimes a lot of years pass before we hear if our attempts were appreciated. Although when I had Cindy in class all those years ago my Christian faith was shaky to say the least, there was still a stirring that reminded me, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's a good idea and other that loving His Father more than anything else, it's the only thing Christ asks of us.
