Microtrawler
Teal |
Chaplain’s Corner
Installment Number Five
Mariner’s Passage
- The purpose of this column is to share my
reflections on the life of we mariner’s and the Creator of the seas. We mariners have
the opportunity to experience the Almighty up close and personal in ways no other’s
can.
By George Shannon
gjs309@magiclink.com
Bolger, Microtrawler & Teal builder.
(Read George's article: Adding
on to the Sacred Space)
My background and heritage like many is one of builders and craftsmen. My great
grandfather was a builder in Montana in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. I have
his homemade toolbox and wood working tools as well as a post drill. My grandfather owned
a knitting mill in the mid 1900’s and I remember playing around the ratcheting
machines and steam presses for the wool, the smells and sounds being etched in my brain.
My father was a tool and die maker and had his own shop from the time I was eight years
old and those sights and sounds are also etched within. At a young age (12) I dragged home
an old shed on a wagon and converted it into a "shop", my first sacred space. I
took a four cylinder Model A Ford engine completely apart and cataloged all the parts
around the new shop and did that until I could almost do it with my eyes closed.
Through the years the sacred space has changed in it’s purpose and
meaning. Each of us outfits and "decorates" a shop differently, but one thing is
for sure, it is a reflection of who we are at any given time in our lives. It is very
personal and revealing. Sometimes I have personal history stuff around, sometimes the
space is extremely unorganized, maybe organized, practical or impractical, simple or
complex all depends on mood and circumstance in life. It is a place of meditation, hiding,
creating, learning and oftentimes fun. Through the nine months I spent building MT, I
learned to rely on the hand of God for help and companionship. Those of us who are married
also know our spouses reaction to the place. Why don’t you just move a bed out there?
Is it really necessary to work tonight? When will that boat be finished? You just finished
a boat, why are you starting another one? Is it really the boats we like to build or do we
just enjoy being in that sacred space? I am sure it is both, but not so obvious to others.
Lately, I have been reflecting on those whose shoulders I stand on from my
family tree and can see some traits that I don’t like. I picked up that strong work
ethic, perseverance and tooling up proper for the job. I have learned that in part my work
is driven by compulsion and often thought it was just motivation or being a self-starter.
The evidence I see is having to finish a job rather than doing it right the first time,
buying far more material or tooling than reasonable and justifying it in a hundred ways,
not stopping when my conscience clearly says it’s time and to continue will just lead
to more mistakes and the list can go on. Some say that if you "have to" do
something that it goes beyond normal motivation and begins to look like compulsion. I am
not sure I know the difference just yet, but it is beginning to make some sense. The quest
really was in finding out what was at the root of the compulsion and so far I have learned
at least for me that it was fear and distrust of God. Essentially "running" from
Him at quite a pace. Having discovered this in prayer there has been a lifting of the
compulsive behavior and I really like the freedom that goes with that. I look forward to
see how this will play out in all the rest of my life and relationships.
All of this has come very recently as I put an addition onto my shop that took
place over this past winter.
(editors note: You can read more about George's new shop in his article: Adding on to the Sacred Space ) |
