Personal Restoration
While visiting my eldest brother he told the story about the rocking chair upon which he was sitting. This chair had been purchased by my grandparents back in the 1920s. When they bought it the chair was used. So this particular chair carried with it a century worth of history and memories. A quick reflection of the things that have changed since the 1920s offers a sense of history.
As my brother talked about this chair he mentioned that he found it in the basement of my grandparents' home after my grandfather had passed away. It was unused and sat gathering dust with other accumulated stuff that was no longer being used. He recognized the opportunity to salvage a rich piece of history and to continue a physical connection to family legacy. After asking for and obtaining my grandmother's permission, he took the chair.
Upon further inspection he was able to determine that it was a very nice chair but it would benefit from some repair and restorative work. The rocking chair was made of ash. This is not unusual because furniture makers recognize ash for its strength and durability. It is a hard wood and blends well so, carpenters will choose it because it is very user friendly. It takes nails, screws and glue easily and stains and paint adhere to the wood very nicely. For purposes of posterity we are fortunate that the chair was made of such a durable and sympathetic material.
Originally he didn't know that the chair was made of ash because it had been painted white. They first had to strip the coat of paint that hid the wood below. He and his wife had taken some time to try and improve the chair but they only achieved mixed results. They told me that once their eldest son performed his magic on the chair he uncovered and discovered a renewed chair and its original beautiful wood. After an expert stain application brought out the natural grain in the wood they realized that the old chair was not only as good as new, it might have even been better.
My sister-in-law was pretty quick to point out that it required more than effort and work to return the chair to its form, it required the skill and expertise of gifted hands. They had done their best to do what they could, but it wasn't a wonderful piece of furniture until their son, who is talented when working with his hands, discovered and resolved the flaws and challenges that the chair presented.
Sometimes we ignore the good and hide it in an emotional basement to gather dust. This will cause us to trip, stumble and eventually fall down the stairs of self-pity. We can escape this challenge with the power of expert hands who can help us perform a personal restoration of a positive self. I am grateful for my faith in a Savior who extends His hands and a promise of restoration.
As my brother talked about this chair he mentioned that he found it in the basement of my grandparents' home after my grandfather had passed away. It was unused and sat gathering dust with other accumulated stuff that was no longer being used. He recognized the opportunity to salvage a rich piece of history and to continue a physical connection to family legacy. After asking for and obtaining my grandmother's permission, he took the chair.
Upon further inspection he was able to determine that it was a very nice chair but it would benefit from some repair and restorative work. The rocking chair was made of ash. This is not unusual because furniture makers recognize ash for its strength and durability. It is a hard wood and blends well so, carpenters will choose it because it is very user friendly. It takes nails, screws and glue easily and stains and paint adhere to the wood very nicely. For purposes of posterity we are fortunate that the chair was made of such a durable and sympathetic material.
Originally he didn't know that the chair was made of ash because it had been painted white. They first had to strip the coat of paint that hid the wood below. He and his wife had taken some time to try and improve the chair but they only achieved mixed results. They told me that once their eldest son performed his magic on the chair he uncovered and discovered a renewed chair and its original beautiful wood. After an expert stain application brought out the natural grain in the wood they realized that the old chair was not only as good as new, it might have even been better.
My sister-in-law was pretty quick to point out that it required more than effort and work to return the chair to its form, it required the skill and expertise of gifted hands. They had done their best to do what they could, but it wasn't a wonderful piece of furniture until their son, who is talented when working with his hands, discovered and resolved the flaws and challenges that the chair presented.
Sometimes we ignore the good and hide it in an emotional basement to gather dust. This will cause us to trip, stumble and eventually fall down the stairs of self-pity. We can escape this challenge with the power of expert hands who can help us perform a personal restoration of a positive self. I am grateful for my faith in a Savior who extends His hands and a promise of restoration.
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