Sharing talents

We had a great weekend! We were able to get some work done around the farm, but mostly able to relax and enjoy each others company. It was nice to be able to reconnect after a long week!

One of the highlights of the weekend for me was when we went to the Antique Machinery Show. Andy heard about it and we thought, we'd check it out. I'm sure glad we went. There were some neat things to see, but what I'll remember for years to come wasn't the machines.

It was a gift I received.

Andy heard there was going to be a woodworker there. We found his display, which left much to the imagination, but that's not what I'll remember.

He shared with us all about the history of his work and showed us his very first piece he ever carved, a shoe. Since that day in 1990, he has carved almost 1,000 larger pieces.

That's not likely something I'll remember...

After a few more minutes of talking he pulled something out of his pocket and showed it to us.

It was a cross.

He had carved it.

We marveled at the craftsmanship and complimented him on this huge mission he accomplished, and started to hand him back his cross. He said I could have it!

He has up to this point made 10,000 of them and passed them out throughout his journey through life. That was his last one. Number 10,000! He told of places where these crosses have traveled, reaching to the ends of the earth. He never has sold one. He only makes them to give away. He's made 10,000 of these gorgeous pieces, only to hand them off to someone who he will probably never see again.

He doesn't do it for fame, and he sure doesn't do it for fortune. He does it out of the love that God has shown him.

That encounter has been on my mind ever since.

What he does is do what he loves and he does it in the name of Jesus Christ. He gives to others a portion of what he himself has been given...

That's what I'll remember!