In my exploits as a handy-man, I have had many fix-it projects. Replacing toilets, fixing faucets in bathtubs and bathroom sinks as well as kitchen sinks, rewiring and replacing light switches, repairing windows and…well the list just goes on and on (you get the picture).

And I noticed something this past week, all the jobs, big or small, have one thing in common… they all take more time than they are supposed to. This statement became a reality to me this past week with the latest project. The project was a simple task of putting down a threshold for a new door.

The job should have taken a guy maybe an hour to complete. Me, well I had help, my buddy (trusted sidekick who I get into all kinds of fun stuff), Winford. So with the both of us, this should be a breeze and not take long at all. WRONG!!! We got the threshold from the hardware store and took it to see if it would fit. Unwrapped it, set it down at base of door, and we decided that it would work. However (always has to be a however), it needed to be cut to fit in the right position. Got anything to cut this with? Well of course not. Winford said he could run to the house and get a hack saw and file. I said that I would just take it to the hardware store and see if they could cut it.

Sure enough, I measured it, marked it, and then took it to the hardware store and used the porta band saw. It took all of two minutes (it took longer to drive back and forth than to cut). Once it was cut I went back to building, and put it into place. Fit wasn’t quite perfect, needed to be filed down a little bit, and then it was perfect.

We marked where the slab needed drilled. We got ready to drill the slab and…crud, we needed a hammer drill. “Winford, I’ll go back to the hardware store and get a drill. Mine is in Copan at the house.” Off to the hardware store, pick up the drill and then back to the church.

Back to the threshold, put a masonry bit in the drill and before you know it, holes are drilled and we were ready to set the threshold. The threshold was in place, but the screws were too short and not the right size. Sooo…back to the hardware store. I picked up some concrete screws and headed back again.

I got back to the project about five minutes later and put screws through the threshold and asked my trusty sidekick, Winford, for a torque head bit for the drill. I had a case with bits in it, every kind imaginable except, yep, you guessed it, no torque head.

Winford jumps in his car and is off to his barn to get one from his tool box. About ten minutes later he comes back (he lives further away than the hardware store). We get the bit in the drill and then secured the threshold. Perfect! It looks nice and is very functional. The only problem is the fitting of the weather stripping. We fix that with a slight adjustment.

But, it just behooves me how such a simple project can take so long! And if it is plumbing it seems you have to make at least a dozen trips to the hardware store. And if it is old plumbing, trying to find parts is crazy.

I think the problem is that I am a preacher, not a professional handyman. I never keep any of the supplies on hand. What are the odds I will ever need this again? Another thing is that the tools I do have are almost all up at the house in Copan that I am remodeling. So, going to the hardware store is a lot easier than driving two hours to Copan to pick up a tool.

This made me think about Jesus and our salvation. It is so nice knowing that I do not have to do anything for my salvation. Jesus has already done all that needs to be done. I don’t have to go to this church or that church. I don’t have to give to this charity or that charity. I don’t have to wear the right clothes or shoes, shop at the right market, drive the right car, or anything else. Jesus has done it all.

When the day comes, I don’t have to make a bunch of trips to who knows where to get to Heaven. The price is paid, the deed is done, and Jesus has made all the preparations.

The Bible says that I just need to believe Jesus is Lord. That He rose from the dead (Romans 10:9). I must confess my sins, turn from my sinful ways to follow Him, and one day (rapture or death) I will be in Heaven for eternity, not running back and forth to the hardware store! Very cool, I think!

Now I need to run back to the hardware store for a few more items!

Bro. Tim