The longer I live the more I enjoy the New Year’s holiday. It reminds me of Christ’s life changing gifts of salvation and redemption. I treasure the privilege of a fresh start that allows to me to learn from past failures without condemnation. This gives me the freedom to grow into the new life that Christ gives me.
I had such an opportunity recently. I did much research to find the best company to move my 123 year old, 700 pound piano from storage to my home. I asked the 2-man team I’d hired to replace the old metal wheels with a newer rubber composite design.
The piano was levered onto blocks in the storage unit and I watched the two men remove the old screws and wheels. One of the screws broke off in the piano base meaning they would have to drill new holes for one wheel to accommodate the new wheel design. I bit my lip and resisted the urge to worry and complain as the process continued.
However, it soon became evident the new caster wheels would not click into the new wheel receptacles, which were already bolted into the piano base. I started to panic, questioning my choice of contractor. I felt a knot in my stomach and feared I was about to lose my temper.
A calming thought came into my mind guiding me to walk away from the unit and pray. As I prayed I looked up at the sky, and at a great height I saw a hawk gracefully and effortlessly soaring on the thermals. I realized that the same loving, Heavenly Father that keeps the hawk aloft will faithfully take care of me.
When I came back to the storage unit the moving contractor and his assistant were installing the last caster wheel into its receptacle. He told me the usual casters he liked to use were discontinued and these new wheels needed to be installed differently. He stated he just needed time to figure it out.
If had complained I would have missed out on seeing how God faithfully provided me with a highly knowledgeable and experienced moving contractor. The man explained to me that wood, as it ages becomes harder, and that it was not unusual for screws to snap off in old wood. He and his assistant then skillfully moved my piano into my home. I smile when I see it in my living room, remembering the lesson learned.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
About the Author
Sara Gore has attended CitySalt Church since 2004, the year it was founded. She studied Journalism, wrote for her college newspaper, and is a member of Oregon Christian Writers. Sara also enjoys singing hymns with friends: “there is a sermon in every hymn waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.”