A Box of Screws

I don’t recall being in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day or having a vision that would cause a person to write an inspirational novel and get them selves booked on a traveling ministry circuit or ending up as a guest on Oprah, but I do wonder if I was merely in the pretrial deposition phase of a possible imagined conviction. A criminal might get anxious if he was to get himself busted and be sent to prison in a similar scenario and over such a minor technicality as I present here.

As I was doing an inventory of the evidence that was being compiled pertaining to the impending case against me, someone came across a box that was to be presented at my trial. The box in question was filled with small metal screws, nails and washers. As I looked at what appeared to be peoples exhibit A, the District Attorney, a flashy devil in a three piece suit, began to unravel the contents of my life. He asked me why I had used so little of the items in the box but yet was so overly liberal with gossip and innuendo which I noticed was labeled peoples exhibit B. He must have thought that my response would be the coup de grace in the case as I hesitated to present a plea. It was then that I realized that I wasn’t given a large task in my former life. I wasn’t put in charge of the electrical grid or the drywall, the roofing or any heavy lifting for that matter. I was not required to mow the lawn, pour any cement or pave the Lord’s driveway. I was given minor duties that had I kept busy would have used up much more of the hardware in question. Each of the small items were the God bless you’s, kind gestures and simple courtesies. A short prayer on behalf of a stranger or asking to do some small chore could have changed the moment for someone. I must have thought so little at the time about those seemingly insignificant phrases that could have helped to make someone’s day. A kind hello or a random act of kindness was often neglected. How many people did I meet in everyday life that I had so little concern for? I would often think that yes, Jesus may love you but I think you’re a certified jerk. I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever experienced that. Just a little screw or a thumb tack would have helped someone keep it together for another day. A nail could have fixed a picture to the wall or provided a place to hang a hat. The possibilities were endless and I realized that as I approached the bench. I’m sobered in this moment of thought as I come to understand that this box of unused fasteners may just be my eternal reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I may be reminded all through eternity that I missed so many precious opportunities to build someone up or to help in a small way to establish someone’s faith. Although I hope not to over simplify this, these small opportunities are only a byproduct of our walk with the Lord in this lifetime and these works of faith do not save us from God’s major penalties. Only the atoning blood of Jesus can do that but we do these generous acts of faith as a token of our love for Him. To brighten someone’s day or to bring joy to a sorrowful soul is just a small cog in the big wheels of this awesome living mechanism called the New Jerusalem. Some of us will do great things but most of us will not get any credit for any great achievement here on this planet in our lifetime. We’ll have to wait for our reward in His everlasting kingdom but until then I pray you can empty your box of hardware in a blessed and prayerful fashion. As for me, it may have been a dream but I’m awake now.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col 3:16-17

T. LaVigne

My Life with Al K. Hall*

Al K. Hall and I were the best of friends for several years. Our conversations consisted of Al doing the talking and me not paying attention to detail or accuracy. Al would often boast of great feats of strength and had the best of intentions but without me he was nothing. We would often wander uninspired down Any St. of Any Town America where loitering was considered a serious business and our unkempt lifestyle preserved our poverty.

Al and I were a team and we were going places, although when you are going nowhere in particular, any road will get you there. Al K. Hall and I went down that road together. We dwelled in the alleys and abandoned buildings strewn with broken dreams, rotting vitality and lost ambition. Our world was void of imagination and purpose, so I only wonder now what I could have done without Al K. Hall.

Al managed to escape going to jail. I of course stayed there occasionally because of some trouble he started. He was always faithful to wait for me outside until I did our time. Al was always busy in an unproductive sort of way. He managed to tear a family apart and killed a couple teenagers on the highway. I wasn't with Al that time but I could have been. I’m sure I was vertically inconsistent and less than ambulatory. Al K. Hall helped me lose my job that very day. I heard Al was the featured attraction at a funeral, a brutal domestic violence incident and a prison sentence, all at the same time on the same day and at several places at once. He really gets around and the police know him by name. He seems to be a great influence in the community. Some of us just can't get enough of Al K. Hall. He's so entertaining, infamous and full of it. You know, taste and variety.

Al was such an inspiration to me. He encouraged me to gamble, steal and start arguments. I owe all my debts and failures to Al K. Hall. I spent the money I didn't have on people I didn't really know to pay for an experience that I don't clearly recall having. Everyone assured me that I had a good time.

I lost a fortune investing myself in his company. Al helped himself to most of my potential, and soaked up my creativity while all the warning signs or common sense went neglected. He often caused me to break down and weep like a child but as soon as we were back on speaking terms he assured me that nothing was going right, that life was meaningless and frequently made a suggestion that I find a gun and terminate my existence. He always mentioned he would be willing to stay until I obtained the nerve to complete the chore. He didn't say anything about who was going to clean up afterward. He only promised to remain close, right up to the end. I mentioned that Al did most of the talking in those days. It should be clearly obvious that Al K. Hall did most of the thinking too.

Al and I went to Hard Knox University in the mid to late 90's. We did our undergraduate studies at the Curbside Annex in Any Town. Al enrolled us in Hell 101 and our school colors were black and blue. I was short by a few days of completing a minor in DUI and almost graduated with a DOA. Although some people never learn from their mistakes, I on the other hand have earned a certifiable education that any liberal college professor could appreciate.

I haven't seen Al for some time now since we went our separate ways. We had an inevitable disagreement over that sobriety thing. We went to church together some but Al got real uncomfortable when he saw that a change was coming and just got up and left. With God’s help I don’t expect to be seen with Al ever again. I don't imagine there's any way for Al K. Hall to get right with God. I still see Al around from time to time in magazines or on television. I know he will most likely be here in Any Town until the judgment day. I know there's a case pending against him. I believe I can testify to that.

*My Life with Alcohol.. 6/22/2005 Timothy La Vigne