My body is weary this evening, Father. Some good and solid labor in the heat and humidity of the day has taken its toll. Thank You, for the ability to labor. Thank You for the energy to help see the task to completion.

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One thing we were given many years ago by Karen’s dad was a “homemade” log splitter. Back in the 80s, he and several of his work buddies put their talents together and built it. It is constructed with an I-beam and is solid as all get out.

I cannot begin to tell you how many cords of wood he split with that thing. (A cord of wood is 4x4x8 feet or 128 cubic feet of wood.) And now we use it for the same thing.

Being that it is well over 30 years old, I’ve had to replace the engine (I am not mechanically inclined but amazingly I did it myself!) and for some time now we have needed to replace its tires – it has a hitch so it can be towed wherever it is needed.

One other thing I have thought about lately is that we needed to see about having the hydraulic system checked – that’s what creates the pressure to split the wood. Well, this afternoon, I came to the shocking realization that I had thought too long about it. Massey was feeding wood in to be split and I was running the lever to do so when suddenly, a hydraulic line blew, soaking my right side with warm hydraulic fluid! It wasn’t under enough pressure to hurt me, but I was an oily mess!

In life, we learn that it is important to have some knowledge of the things we work with and to make sure that we perform regular maintenance on them. Massey and I know how to operate the splitter, but we were negligent in its maintenance. I can honestly claim ignorance in that, as I mentioned, I am not mechanically inclined.

Spiritually speaking, especially those with experience around church and its practices, know what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. Up front, all we can do is accept his free gift of pardon – we cannot buy it or earn it. But as our relationship with Him advances, we come to realize that it requires an investment of time and effort on our part to maintain that relationship.

We cannot claim ignorance, we know – as with any relationship – what we must do to keep that relationship vibrant. If we neglect that “maintenance” we are the ones who lose out. Keeping those channels of love and communication open provides an immense amount of direction and guidance in our lives. When we neglect our relationship with Jesus, we can no longer receive direction and guidance in that the lines of communication are down and ineffective.

So, don’t forget a regular “maintenance” program with Your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – don’t blow it on the most important relationship of your life!

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding
In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

July 17th, 2023, Mon, 7:50 pm