Lessons From the Mailbox
(This writing is inspired by the true-life experience of trying to install a new cedar mailbox post, and a new mailbox. The process and the frustrations of putting the mailbox kit together led to a few hard life lessons, which are shared in this post. Personal reflectioins are at the end.)
Recently, I put in a new mailbox and post for my mother-in-law. At the time of this writing, it is in the ground, the mailbox opens and closes, and the mail lady is happy with its height. All is well, except for two things – the post wobbles and the mail box is shaky. It is all a little loose. It works, but it is on shaky ground!
This project turned out to be harder than my wife and I ever expected. My level of frustration was growing with each unintelligible instruction. Nice pictures and nice simple idea, but putting it all together was another story all together. Can you relate? But I was also part of the problem, and that is what I want to focus on for the rest of this writing.
My first lesson is to actually read the instructions. I thought I had a clear picture in my mind, so I just started getting the parts out, getting advice on how to put it together, all from looking at the parts and pictures. It should be simple, right? Reading the instructions helped some, but there was more to learn.
The second lesson – and it is a big one – is to work together with others to get things done. Listen to what they are saying and their perspective. People of all ages have something to contribute, a point of view to be heard. Let them use their talents, knowledge, and perspective to accomplish the task at hand. It will be worth it, if the task is worth doing. This one was worth the effort.
Lesson number three comes from my frustrations with the process of this installation. I wanted to get the job done, and I wanted it done quickly. But the process, by nature, was slow. It took time. It needed to take time to get it right. When we are in a hurry, we mess things up. Confusion in the process aside, we are still responsible to our best for the Lord. Taking time is part of that.
Finally, consider the brokenness. The old mailbox post was broken off underground. It rotted from probably 30 years of use. Sometimes we feel useless and rotten,but God does not see us that way. He sees people through the cross – healed, forgiven, clean, whole, gifted in various ways, and with something to contribute to His Kingdom. If we are in Christ, we are sealed, safe, and whole in Him. This is all possible by his death on the cross. Our identify is found in Him, not our success or in other earthly things.
One final thought – never, and I do mean never, attempt this project if you have a loose screw!
(Personal reflections – Sometimes I need to slow down, be patient, and trust God with the results. So do we all!)
