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10 Minutes Peace
by Susan McGrath
I'm always amazed by what can be made from Legos. Every time I visit a Lego store I wonder what type of person has the imagination to come up with this stuff - and the patience to assemble it!
On my most recent foray past a Lego store my brain was assaulted with a giant dragon in the lake out front - we're talking 20 feet tall and more than 30 feet long; a family out walking a menagerie of dogs; a 12-foot Transformer-thing; and miniature window displays with the skylines of several recognizable cities around the world. So cool, yet so strange to think someone would spend weeks creating block art. But I guess it really is art and that is an acceptable profession - more so than playing with building blocks post-college.
I have to admit that I always preferred my toys pre-assembled. I loved being able to take something out of the box and play with it immediately. Besides, then all the brain cells that would normally go into assembly could be used for creative play like coming up with extended families and histories for my Barbies.
But I probably limited myself and my playing arena by not being open to all the little pieces. My brothers had extensive Lego sets and I remember playing with them on occasion - just making whatever I wanted, not trying to build a kit into something that mirrored the picture on the box. Those Legos have survived many years of imagination and my kids play with them now when they go to Granny's house. I am amazed that my youngest son has the patience to work with all those tiny pieces, but he loves it.
The attraction must be in the freedom to create. I suppose if someone gave me a truckload of Legos and said told me to make something interesting I would see it as an opportunity. Whereas if they gave me the same pile of blocks and told me to recreate the dragon in the lake I would see it as constrictive and difficult.
Hmm . . . I wonder where this is going. God gives me little pieces to work with every day. He offers a beautiful sunrise or a fresh rain, a job and a paycheck or a morning off to sleep late. God doesn't tell me exactly where each piece must fit and how I must use it. He provides me with an instruction manual which tells me the best way to use his building blocks, but He does not show me a picture of Rebekah or Mary and tell me I must make my life look just like theirs. I have the freedom to be creative in my service, my worship and my witness to others.
I often limit myself, thinking I can't possibly build this or fit that together. God just waits, smiling, and says, "With my help you can." Although I likely will never be a master Lego technician (I have no idea what they are called, but that sounds impressive if not a bit nerdy.), I do have the ability and talent to build the pieces of my life into a wonderful tribute to the Creator. He gives me so many designs to choose from!
Luke reminds us in Acts of how we should use the pieces of our daily lives. "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:32-34
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a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;
living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;
completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.
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