Today’s Daily Bread ~ The Carpenter

Mark 6:3 – “He’s just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.  And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him.

My family and I have lived in our current home for just a little over two years.  Before we bought it, the house had sat, empty, on the market for over a year.  The first time I looked at it, I couldn’t stand it.  With no furniture, it looked barren, dirty and desolate.  I don’t have a very good eye for seeing potential, so all I saw were white walls, an out-of-date kitchen, and scuffed up wood floors.  Mike and I looked, and left, unimpressed.

A few weeks later I was browsing through the real estate websites, and saw that the price had come down.  Significantly.  So Mike and I took another look.

On our way out, I said to my husband, “I want to like it.  I really do.  I love the neighborhood.  Its right by our church, the back yard is great, and it’s got enough space.  I just don’t like the house.”  Mike shrugged, and we kept looking.

A few more weeks went by, and again, I noticed the house on another listing website.  The price had come down again.  It was now below what Mike and I wanted to spend.  I asked Mike if he wanted to take yet another look, and he replied, “Why?  You haven’t liked it the past few times you saw it.”  So I called my mother.

Growing up, my family moved about every three years, so if there were ever an expert on seeing a home’s potential, it was my mom.  And for some reason, when I saw it with her, I saw it with new eyes.

“Oh, Rebecca!” she exclaimed, “What on earth do you not like about this house?”

“It just seems so dark,” I replied.

“Of course it does,” she said, “It’s got those dark solar screens on every window.  You don’t need those.  The house faces south.  I’d take those down first thing.”

“Well,” I continued, “look at this kitchen.  I don’t like anything about it.”

“Rebecca,” she continued in her best loving-but-stern tone of voice, “they’ve knocked the price down so much, and it’s less than you expected to spend.  Take that money and redo the kitchen.  You’ll even be able to afford new appliances.”

My mother and I walked through every room, and she made paint suggestions, furniture suggestions, and pointed out details I hadn’t noticed.  I saw a stark white, empty house.  Walls and floors.  She saw charm and potential around every corner.  Now, when I wake up before the rest of the house to enjoy my quiet time with the Lord and my coffee, I marvel at the fact that I almost let this house go.

I’m so grateful that Jesus and my mother share an eye for potential.

The Bible doesn’t give us nearly enough details on the life of our blessed Savior, pre-ministry.  We know that He was born in the harshest of conditions to a virgin mother and a trusting father.  We know that, at age 12, he held an audience captive at the synagogue: Three days later they finally discovered Him.  He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them.  And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. ~ Luke 2:46-47.

We also know, from this one little verse, buried in the gospel of Mark, that Jesus followed in His father’s trade until His ministry began.  He was a carpenter.  How very appropriate.

My husband’s uncle is a carpenter.  He doesn’t see a block of wood the way I do.  When I look at wood, I see just that; wood.  But Uncle Ken sees more.  He envisions a polished cutting board, detailed cabinetry, or a winding banister.  He looks at wood and sees its potential – what it could be.  How much more then, does Jesus see when He looks at us?

I will never be able to wrap my mind around the fact that God loves me unconditionally, and is pleased with me.  Me…a recovering alcoholic, an eating disorder survivor, and really just an all-around mess.  I struggle with anxiety, insecurity, depression, and loneliness.  I question my decisions, my convictions and my faith.  I worry about who likes me and who doesn’t, about being a good wife and mother, about working or not working, and about what to wear.  If there’s a pit, I’ve been in it.  If there’s a mistake, I’ve made it, and if there’s a mess, you can usually find me smack in the center of it.  Yet God looks at me and sees more.

For we are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sin, no matter who we are or what we have done.  For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ~ Romans 3:22-23.

When Jesus looks at you, He sees who you are in Him.  He sees a precious soul, worth His very own life blood.  He loves you with a fierce, protective love.  You are His, and He died on a cross so that He might hold you in His arms for eternity.  He fought Satan for your spirit, and won.  His heart hurts when we live destructively.  You are His precious possession, His treasure.  He wants so much for you to act like it.  He longs for you to walk in confidence and victory.  He doesn’t want you to cower in a corner, He wants you to stand tall and shine so that the lost might find the Father through you. 

Dear Heavenly Father, how amazing it is that You love us like You do.  We are humbled beyond words.  Thank You for the magnificent work on the cross, and thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to abide in us, guide us and teach us.  God, please forgive us when we look at ourselves or Your children as anything less than they and we are – Your precious creation.  Help us to love others and ourselves like You do.  Help us lead the lost to You.  Give us a spirit of confidence and strength, so that we might bear a powerful witness to You.  Put Your words in our mouths, God, so that we can sow seeds of truth.  Help us to be honest and good, give us a spirit of generosity and love.  Bless us, Father, so that we might bless others.  We love You so much, God, and we pray these things in the beautiful, perfect name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.