The Ice Maker

Our refrigerator came with an ice maker but I had never taken the time to hook it up to a water line. This summer I got industrious, ran to the store for the parts, hooked up the ice maker, and waited for the blessing of ice.

As I waited I remembered something I learned a long time ago. I worked for a time at a heat and air conditioning company that also sold appliances including refrigerators. I was listening to the owner explain the ice maker to a customer one day when I heard him say, “After you get it home it takes about two weeks for the ice maker to start working properly. After that you will have all the ice you need.”

I questioned him at the time about the “two weeks.” I knew how they worked and mechanically there was no reason why it would not work from the time you install it. He explained to me that two weeks was the average time it takes for the customer to stop opening the freezer door and checking on the progress of the ice maker. It was a lesson on patience that had nothing to do with the ice maker itself.

Jesus said, “Do not worry…for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

There is no substitute for time. There is no substitute for time spent in a relationship. There is not substitute for time spent in a relationship with a person or with God. Discipleship takes time. Marriage takes time. Friendship takes time.

Bro. Robin

The Finished Product

I enjoy wood working projects. I have made shelves, entertainment centers, hope chests, and step stools among other things. My favorite part of the project is that point when it is all put together but before I apply the stain. There is something about looking at the raw wood that I cut, shaped and put together that gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I know I still have to finish the project and I will have a different feeling about it when it is completely finished and ready to be used.

I always enter the finishing phase with a feeling of hesitation. When I apply the stain I know from experience that the first application of color will reveal every imperfection in the wood. As the stain is applied I will see if my hands were invisibly dirty and left fingerprints that now become dark smudges. I can now also see if I was careless with my sanding and left scratches going the wrong way or did not sand enough so that a fine bristle of wood stands up like five o'clock shadow.

All of those imperfections are fixable. I have to sand it again with care to correct the imperfections and apply more stain. When the stain is right and I am pleased with the look I am ready to apply a hard clear finish to protect the stain and make the project ready for use.

Paul said, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6 NAS) The day we gave our lives to Jesus we changed. We crossed over from being an unfinished project of our own to being His project to finish. Before He touched us our hands were dirty and we were rubbed the wrong way. He applied the first coat and revealed all our imperfections. He applied, and is still applying, the sandpaper to remove the flaws and smooth the roughness. He makes us useful for His purpose.

I'm glad He is still working on me. I look forward to being finished in Christ.

Bro. Robin