It Starts Small

This past Friday, I had the incredible chance to work alongside my brother-in-law, and I cannot express how blessed I feel to witness the Lord’s magnificent work in his life. Almost a year ago, we faced a fierce windstorm that uprooted countless trees, prompting us to spend an entire day clearing away the debris as the city threatened them with fines. In the aftermath, my brother-in-law was struck with excruciating pain that robbed him of his ability to move, and he struggled just to walk. To make matters worse, he needed major surgery to mend his back. Yet, through all this turmoil, the Lord has an extraordinary way of redirecting our paths. Although he lost his job, God opened a new door for him, allowing him to embark on an exciting journey of starting his own hauling and junk removal business.

This past work week, I found myself only scheduled for three days, and my instinctive reaction was to think I must have stumbled into some kind of trouble. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth! It turned out to be a simple oversight from an incredibly overwhelmed manager. Yet, in a beautifully orchestrated twist of fate, something remarkable unfolded—my brother-in-law landed his very first big job! He was tasked with an incredible project: clearing out a large garage, shed, and the grounds of a property once owned by an elderly gentleman. The kids had sold the estate as-is. With my unexpected day off, I embraced the chance to earn some “sweat equity.” Honestly, it wasn’t bad at all; it was just as I anticipated—a property left overgrown and neglected with age. But as we delved deeper, something profound emerged. Though I didn’t know this gentleman, what we unearthed as we hauled away the debris spoke volumes about his life. There were, no kidding, at least 100 glass jars filled with nails, screws, and various odds and ends. Filing cabinets revealed an extensive collection of family history research and over two decades of Boy Scout meeting notes. As we sorted through his “treasures”, it became clear that he was a devoted woodworker, with countless table legs scattered around and meticulous notes on projects he had been commissioned to complete.

But what truly tore at my heart was the realization that all of this hard work was destined for the dump. Certainly, we managed to save all the metal to scrap, but it felt agonizing to think that the countless hours and sweat he poured into this endeavor were being carelessly discarded. No one seemed to value the jars of nails, the painstakingly crafted notes, or the wealth of family history that had been so lovingly documented. I can only imagine the family took all the priceless treasures, leaving behind the remnants for someone else to grapple with. What broke my heart the most were the endless piles of beer bottles, carelessly scattered everywhere, a poignant reminder of neglect amidst such dedication.

My heart ached with a deep sadness. Later in the evening, I found solace in journaling my experience. The place was a desolate sight, evoking a sense of neglect and despair. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that pack rats had once thrived here, leaving behind a haunting trace of their presence. Instead of the usual mouse droppings, we encountered something much larger, a stark reminder of their relentless feast. Everything lay ravaged, a testament to their insatiable hunger. The small shed stood as their makeshift home, though we never spotted a single creature; I could only guess that an exterminator had intervened. Wooden tables, once sturdy and proud, were now mere shells, devoured by termites. I struggled under the weight of our duty, hauling nearly four loads of trash to the dump, each trip a painful reminder of what once was.

I wrote, “Father, I don’t want to die like that.”

I refuse to let my children confront any physical, emotional, or spiritual chaos and dysfunction I might leave behind. A legacy of mere “things” is not what I desire! I long to bestow upon them an inheritance that transcends the tangible and delves into the spiritual. More than anything, I yearn for them to truly know the Lord—not just to be aware of Him, but to have a personal relationship with Him. The greatest riches do not lie in hoarding wealth or possessions; rather, the ultimate treasure is the intimate relationship we cultivate with Him. When we immerse ourselves in a profound and heartfelt connection with Him, that love naturally radiates to our children and to everyone around us. It’s not merely my faith; all that I do and say reflects my relationship with Him. The only authentic source of love springs forth from Him. To love another is to first be enveloped in His love. When our hearts overflow with His love, grace, and mercy, it spills out and splashes joyfully onto all those in our lives!

That is the legacy I long to leave for my family: to truly know Christ, for He is everything, and everything resides in Him. It’s not about what I can leave behind in this world, but rather the name above all names: Christ Jesus. The past few years have been a tumultuous journey. God has been diligently working the Egypt (or should I say Corinth) out of my heart. We have been unearthing the depths of my soul, turning over the garden He is so lovingly planting. I can assure you, He is crafting something unbelievably magnificent within me. I promise, when it’s all complete, I will share that powerful testimony. Though it’s still in progress, what He is doing is undeniably God-sized!

Lately, my fervent prayer has been, “Lord, let my eyes be wide open to see You in the tiniest of details.” Nothing happens by mere coincidence. He arranged for me to be there on Friday, revealing just how profoundly significant the future He is crafting truly is.

You can store up wealth for retirement, “treasure” in boxes, and spend your life working on things that will just be taken to the dump….

or….

You can choose a different path, one that embraces the profound gifts that can’t be quantified by earthly standards. These treasures can never be stripped away; instead, they flourish through the passage of generations. This is the journey I wholeheartedly choose to embark upon. Material possessions and money? They are merely trivialities. The true wealth lies in cultivating a life intimately connected to Him, becoming a vibrant testament that inspires others to seek the same.

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