“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)
Becoming a Table
My grandpa was a craftsman. He could look at a block of wood or object, see potential, and with his hands, create something special. This little table is a great example of his ingenuity! The base is a 170 year old half bushel grain measure. It sat beside my grandma’s chair holding her yarn and embroidery thread for as long as I can remember. Now that she’s gone, it resides by MY chair, holding treasures and providing a place for my morning coffee and prayer journal.
I’m pretty sure that when my great-great-great grandfather made his grain measure, he didn’t think that it would one day be used to feed animals on my great-great grandfather’s farm and I’m certain he NEVER imagined it would one day, generations later, be brought inside and become a table!
I cherish this little table and when I run my hand across the aged wood I think of all it has been used for and of the stories it could tell. It’s gong to sound crazy (I know, what’s new) but I can relate to this old grain measure. Maybe you will too!
“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand. “ Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepares in advance for us to do. “ Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Through Christ we too, were created by a Craftsman. I’m not 170 but I can look back through the years of my life and see that I’m different today than I was, I recognize that my purpose has changed as I’ve gotten older, and I appreciate that I’ve been restored by the One who, with His hands and nails, saw my potential and made me new!
We are His masterpieces and He’ll continue crafting us until that one day we’ll finally be perfect and from then on, we’ll reside beside HIS chair for eternity! Oh, the stories we will tell!
This is Day 5 of the 10 Day Writing Prompt Challenge hosted by @fiveminutefriday and for Five Minute Friday where both have the prompt TABLE. You can read more by clicking http://www.fiveminutefriday.com
And if you’re interested, here is the history of my table as written by my Grandpa Stevens:
When Turner painted ‘Temeraire’,
its last trip to the breakers’ fate,
he mused at length upon just where
its bones would go, perhaps a gate?
that bore Trafalgar battle-scars
whose depth fosters the growing moss
to thrive beneath the sun and stars
across the years, and somehow loss
of noble ship to ken of man
is transfigured in some resurrection
that bows its oaken head to plan
and that plan is God’s direction
that the tools and trade of war
become, at last, a meadow-door.
I’m crying and unsure exactly why, theres history and love and such nurture in your words. My own grandpa was a Carver, and I’ve seen his work but doing own any of his work, it wasn’t all that much. Yet reading here am stilled by the legacy of love passed down by our fathers and our heavenly Dad. Stilling, healing beautiful legacy. Thankyou do much. 🌻🌼🌷⚘
Oh my goodness, thank you for your precious words! I am so overwhelmed by our Father’s love and grace! I pray it is the legacy I pass on to my children and grandchildren! I really am grateful for you stopping in! God bless!
It is fascinating for you to have the treasure of the physical table as well as the emotional storehouse of your grandmother’s crafting. You, are also, continuing legacy as you gather with the Holy Spirit to embrace the day with coffee and journal at the table. Thank you for describing the link between your family’s history and this functional family heirloom and the spiritual symbolism between the work of their hands and the work of the Father’s hands in your family line. Beautiful!
Thank you for your kind words, Angelique! I’m grateful grandpa cared enough to attach the history of the grain measure to the bottom of the table! It has helped me appreciate it and him even more! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
Cindy, this is beautiful! I love the backstory of that table. How precious. It reminds me of my grandfather, who made a cedar chest from a tree that had fallen in his yard. I really liked it, but my younger brother got it. But it’s still meaningful and a tribute to our ancestors and their creativity. Blessings to you!
And you carry on that tradition Gayl, with all your beautiful artwork! Thank you for stopping in! I really appreciate it!
My, that table really is a treasure. In so many ways! How special that you have it:)
It is a treasure Jennifer! And I appreciate it more and more as I grow older. I kind of laughed when I first discovered grandpa had attached the history of the table on its bottom but now I am ever so grateful he did! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I love the table – that’s a lovely way to remember your grandpa – and I love the point you draw out from it too of the way God crafts us and works us into his masterpieces!
Thank you Lesley for your kind words. I love having little pieces of my grandparents around my home as reminders of the impact they had on my life! I so appreciate you taking the time to stop in!