Seeds
I recently read a post by a man I greatly admire, Mr. Richard Raffan. He will soon reach the 50-year milestone in his personal turning career. Over that time Richard has influenced countless thousands across the globe, yours truly being just one of those people. Mr. Raffan’s post generated great volumes of comments most of which were from folks grateful for his generosity in passing along simple turning methods, techniques and tool modifications.
It took me years to understand Mr. Raffan's famous “Back Hollowing Technique” and I paid the price with my own blood and pinched fingers many times before I could do it successfully. I came to understand the term “suction fit lid” and “jamb chuck” through his videos. As we teach others through hands-on classes and simple club demonstrations we may be sowing seeds that we can’t understand. We may be lighting a fire that will burn more brightly than we ever thought possible. I’ve learned over the years that you can not predict who might be the next one to catch fire.
I’ve related this story before, but it is worth mentioning again. My own situation began with a simple two-hour club demonstration in a dark and cold basement on a weekend between Christmas and the New Year. Our club was a flat workers club up until that time because I was the founder and that is the kind of woodworking I knew about. Someone had invited this turner to give a demonstration and that was the only availability he had. His name was Nick Cook. About 30 of us stood for 2 hours while Nick amazed and astounded us by turning a mahogany plater, a garden dibble, a honey dipper, a top and several other eye-popping projects, all in a matter of a few minutes. We were all amazed.
One couple, in particular, decided to sign up for a day of turning instruction with Nick which eventually resulted in the formation of AAW Chapter 192. Thanks to Ted and Windy Riggs for their enthusiastic pursuit. Ted is a commercial HVAC engineer and Windy is a Ph.D. nurse. You wouldn’t pick them out of a crowd as folks most likely to become premier turners of wood.
As a direct result of that fateful day and the following turning meetings, my own career began as a turner. I got involved in other turning clubs in our area and expanded my knowledge even further. Mr. Don Russell introduced me to the world of segmented turning and the joy of turning on much larger lathes in the Powermatic family. I was given the opportunity to turn professional in 2008 and here we are today. I have produced over 25 how-to woodturning videos, 80+ YouTube videos and have sold my turning fixtures, jigs and accessories all over the world. All because Mr. Nick Cook donated a couple of hours on a cold December morning to show a bunch of clueless folks how he transformed chunks of wood into beautiful objects de art.
I would like for you to understand that every opportunity to demonstrate and to teach can have very far-reaching implications that you may not see for many years. You cannot accurately predict who you will affect or how you might influence them. Even the least likely person has seeds of greatness in them, just look at David the little shepherd boy who became David the giant killer and eventually King David. Don’t casually dismiss even the least likely among you because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Psalm 37:23 NIV The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
Isaiah 60:22 NIV The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly.”
Luke 13:19 NIV It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.
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