Leftover nuts and bolts

Do you ever feel like a leftover? Ever think your useful life is over? Here's something to think about.

Will we have the right part?

"I need two small screws to fasten that shelf," noted my husband the other day. We're finishing up our remodel.

"I think I probably have those in my stash," I said, heading off to my tote bag of spare hardware and tools.

"Doubt it," he replied. "They're a special kind. We need a run to Home Depot tonight."

I rummaged around and pulled out three baggies of leftovers. Anytime we buy appliances, gadgets, and tools with extra hardware bits - or take things apart, I've collected the spare nails, screws, nuts, bolts, and hooks. Over the years, my collection has filled three little snack-size Baggies.

A real assortment of odd bits

Sure enough: he found enough of the right-sized, right-kind hardware to get the job done.

So, do you think you're no longer the "right person" when someone needs help or a job needs doing? Maybe you're feeling overlooked. Stowed away. Out of sight.

But rest assured: God knows where you are. If you're willing, He'll connect you to the right place at the right time ... and you'll be the perfect match for a person or situation.

Like our little stash of hardware, your opportunity may be just around the corner! Don't give up yet.

Read more:

The bags are ugly and parts stick out.
But inside, oh inside... how useful!

*O send out your light and your truth; let them bring me to your dwelling. Psalm 43:3 ESV

*Christ says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12 ESV

*[Pray for All People] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, 
godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

*I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 NLT

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity: An ordinary simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers. He is trying to get into touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God: God, so to speak, inside him. But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God—that Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for him.

You see what is happening. God is the thing to which he is praying—the goal he is trying to reach. God is also the thing inside him which is pushing him on—the motive power. God is also the road or bridge along which he is being pushed to that goal. So that the whole threefold life of the three-personal Being is actually going on in that ordinary little bed- room where an ordinary man is saying his prayers. The man is being caught up into the higher kinds of life—what I called Zoe or spiritual life: he is being pulled into God, by God, while still remaining himself.

Moravian Prayer: Bringer of light, the darkness in our hearts and minds can make it hard to see the life-giving light of your love. Brighten our days with your truth and bring us out of that darkness forever. Amen.