Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
 
" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "  Luke 13:6-9

Keep on Keeping On

When was the last time you were about to give up on something and at the last moment decided to stick it out, then were ever thankful that you had "kept on keeping on"?

When I was 15, I worked as a carpenter framing houses for a very tough task master. He was a perfectionist and demanded that we not only work fast, but that everything was done right; leveling of the basement wall tops, squaring subfloor joist, nails in sheeting had to hit their intended target, square cuts at the correct length, nails driven well and true, using chalk line and string to ensure walls were straight, proper squaring techniques had to be applied on every corner, etc... If we started to drag the pace, our task master was behind us yelling "come on, let's go, the wall you are building is not a career". He would sometimes take out his hammer and smack the floor "bang, bang, bang, LET'S GO!" It was hard work. Sweat would pour off my body. Southwest Michigan summers were always very hot and humidity over 90% was the norm. It was all I could do to "keep on keeping on".

One day, I was completely exhausted from carrying sheets of plywood and leaning them up on a stand where the other guys could reach down, grab hold, then pull them up and over to where they needed to go. I started to drag the pace and the task master started teasing me about how slow I was going, calling me names and ridiculing me. Enough! I dropped the three sheets of plywood I was carrying and yelled "I am out of here". I think I used other words, but the point is, I had reached my breaking point. I just could not take it anymore. The work was hard enough without the verbal abuse. That is when I received a very important lesson. My boss jumped off the second story floor and came running over to me. I turned when he said, "if you leave now it will be one of the bigger mistakes of your life". I told him I could do the work, but I can't take the abuse. There has to be a change. My mind can't take it anymore.

A few moments passed in silence. Each of us just stood there looking at each other. I had my tool belt hanging on my shoulder. I could see fire in his eyes. Then he said, things will be different, just don't go. Then he turned around and went back to the second floor. I knew he was right, but I was at my wit's end. After a few minutes, I took a deep breath, put my tool belt back on and took a good drink of cold water, then went back to work carrying the sheets of plywood to the stand. However, it was different now. I felt better and it was quiet; no more heckling. To this day I remember the skills of carpentry Norm taught, the meaning of quality work, and the motto to "keep on keeping on". I consider Norm one of my closest friends.

In life, we have many task masters. Paying the bills, caring for our children or a parent, paying taxes, yard care, laundry, cooking, vehicle maintenance and the like. It may seem like it's too hard and that we can't do it anymore. If you are tempted to give it up, go to the Lord with our burdens and seek his strength. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"." After a time, you will be able to look back at that stormy time, and find beauty and the hand of God at work in your life.

Life's Journey

Dear Heavenly Father: It is by your grace that I make it through each day. Thank you for not giving up on me. Continue to give me the strength to "keep on keeping on". May I also recognize when I can be of service to others.

The photo of a thunderstorm in action was captured by the author during a flight from Florida to Philadelphia, at 35,000 feet. Notice the lights at the tip of the wing.

Contributed by Richard
Sunday August 16, 2009
Liturgical Year B Week 38
Sunday Gospel Readings:
Lectionary 20 (Proper 15)
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost