Whistle while you work

This past Saturday we woke up early and got all of our chores done quickly.  My list of weekend tasks around the farm hadn't gotten any shorter during the week, but better things were in store.  Saturday was a "work day" at our little country church.

We attend a church that is spitting distance from our house.  If there was a sidewalk, we could actually walk to church on Sundays.  It takes all of about 3 minutes to get there.  It's not a perfect church.  I'm not sure a perfect one exists, but it is a loving little congregation of people that genuinely care about each other.  People who will pray for you.  People who will encourage you.  People who are very giving.  It is truly a church family in every sense of the word.

While a "work day" on the weekend might not sound appealing at first glance, it was a good day.  The day before, several gentlemen from the church used a lift and pressure washer to wash the mildew buildup on the steeple and mowed the lot on the north side of the church.  That made a big difference.  The ladies did a thorough cleaning of the inside of the church and the kitchen in our fellowship hall.  The men (and boys) had several items on the agenda:

1. Pressure wash the buildings, sidewalks and parking lot,
2. Replace fascia boards that had blown off in storms,
3. Repaint all the fascia boards that had faded in the sun,
4. Fix some shingles that had blown off,



Russ Painting fascia boards, with Benjamin and Brother Joe providing supervision

The important things that happened at the work day, though, weren't the tasks being performed, oddly enough.  One key thing was the fellowship that occurred while we worked together with the church family.  We laughed, we joked, we served each other (and the Lord) and we bonded.  Of equal or greater importance was the learning experience, and I think it was a valuable experience for my boys (and me). 

We have an older congregation composed of very talented individuals, people who are skilled at carpentry, plumbing, electrical and many other skills.  It is a very good thing to have my boys sit under the instruction of people older than them and learn about how to do things, to listen to their life experiences, and to hear their military stories.

Many young people go through phases where they think they "know it all."  I have, unfortunately been guilty of that.  It doesn't take long out in the world before you realize how little you know.  A powerful thing occurs, however, when a young person will listen and when an older person takes the time to teach a younger person a skill, a discipline, a trade.  

Benjamin on the ladder with a hammer securing the fascia boards to the roof

Other things are taught as well.  While sanding down and putting Ospho on a rusting electrical box, one gentleman took the opportunity to pour into Russ helpful advice to guide him as he leaves the nest and starts out in college next year.  Sometimes advice is better received when it doesn't come from a parent, if you know what I mean?  

My boys need tangible life lessons to put in their toolboxes.  Hopefully, they will have the opportunity to "pay it forward" and can pass along similar skills, advice, and lessons to the next generation.   Although it was a work day at the church (and we did get a lot done), I left feeling like a lot more work got done than just work on the church building.  Work was done on lives and I appreciate that.