I loved to watch planes as a child.
On the farm in which I grew up on we would often get fertilizer spread by aeroplane. It was exciting to see that noisy plane swoop low over the fields and hills and see trails of white powder spreading over the landscape.
I suppose it was those planes that gave me the idea to build a weathervane in the shape of a plane. I loved building plastic Spitfire and Hurricanes, but this plane needed to be built of hard-wearing material. No little fiddly pieces and ‘get a headache/ high glue’.
So out of some wood in the workshop I crafted a plane.
I can’t remember what colour I painted it but I do remember putting a plastic propeller on the front. Through the centre of the plane a nail was used as a kind of axle for the plane to spin around upon.
It worked extremely well. With every little shift of wind direction the plane would move straight into a place of least resistance. That propeller would whirr around and fill the air with hum.
It worked perfectly well for the first year, but then under the heat of the sun and the rigours of winter storms the paint started to blister and peel. The plastic propeller got worn and started to wobble on that nail.
The plane still swung around on its pivot, but now the hole seemed honed out. The plane didn’t swivel so freely.
The next wild storm blew in and the propeller broke right off.
What was needed was a rest in the carpenter’s shop. I time to clean off some of the grime, a new paint job, a repairing of the damage and a new propeller.
I tell you this story because I think it is like many of us, if not all.
We head out into life with brightness and purpose. We angle ourselves into the wind of resistance and move ahead. Little shifts of wind and we adapt. Storms come and go, rain, hail, and hot beating sun, we weather it all.
Over time we get worn out without us ever realising the change. We think we are better than we really are. We are star struck by the over achievers so we go on, until we breakdown, burnout, and collapse.
Time for the care of a carpenter. Time for care from others whom the carpenter sends to help.
We all need time for rest and refreshing. For rejuvenation.
This is a serious question.
Are you ok with being loved?
Are you ok with being cared for?
Are you ok with being told ‘You need to rest’.
The very nature of facing into the wind takes its toll on the fabric of your being.
I remember listening to a pastor who was going through basically a power battle between himself and a couple of church members. He was broke. I simply asked ‘How is it with your soul’?
The question cut right through the normal bravado to a place of personal soul weariness. He had run on the fumes of an empty tank for too long.
Is this resonating with you?
It’s ok to rest and restore, and its ok to have others feed into you dollops of goodness, truth and love.
Barry Pearman
Image by Aquilatin
