“God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NASB
Back in the 1970’s when I was in academy, girls took home economics and boys took shop. I loved home economics, creating and sewing a dress, planning a home, and especially advancing my cooking skills. I received good grades and especially enjoyed this class. One quarter the school decided to enhance our education and have the girls and boys switch classes so I got to take shop.
The first day of shop, we were told that we were going to do a woodworking project and I knew just what I was going to make - a recipe box! I distinctly remember telling the shop instructor that I wanted to make a 3” x 5” box. He showed us how to measure and cut, glue and sand. I lovingly worked on my recipe box imagining how nice it would be when I could put it to use. I completed the box with a nice finish and even added brass hinges and a cute brass latch on the front.
When the box was completed I had a very nice looking wooden box. I was so excited; I couldn’t wait to see what my recipe collection looked like in the box. Before I was able to take it home, I brought in a recipe card, just to see how it would look. I was horrified to find out that the 3” x 5” recipe card did not fit into my pretty 3” x 5” box.
My pretty little box was too small, it did not serve it’s purpose! The only reason that I had made the box was to hold my recipe collection and now the box was worthless to me.
I’m sure you figured out the mistake that was made. In my inexperience, I didn’t compensate for the thickness of the wood. The instructor should have known to ask about the purpose of the box and the inside dimensions, but the mistake had already been made.
How many times do we take off on our own, planning, working and building something we think will be just wonderful. We plan, we organize, we phone, we get all excited about “our idea” only to find out that the plan is too small - because it isn’t God’s plan
God knows about all the in's and out's. He knows the beginning from the end. He knows the big picture. If we could simply learn to take our plans to Him, we wouldn’t have the disappointment of a box, or a plan, that is beautiful on the outside, but doesn’t serve it’s purpose.
Lord, help me remember to bring all my plans to you first!
© 2001 ~Judy Shewmake