Don’t Be Stingy – With Your Time
No one remembers how fast you did something, but they always remember how well you did it. I don’t see my oldest son nearly as often as I’d like. He has a busy hectic life with a wife, four children and grandchildren of his own. He stopped by after work on Friday and stayed until nearly 11 O’clock just talking to me and his mother. His precious Father’s Day gift to me was his gift of time and I appreciated it more than any material gift he could have brought.
When you have the opportunity to give some of your time to another person don’t be stingy with your time. Many years ago Nick Cook was demonstrating at a woodworking show in Atlanta and I had the good fortune to catch him without a crowd. I had been struggling with hollowing a small turned lidded box and I asked Nick about how he did it. Nick actually took the time to turn a small cylindrical box complete with suction fit lid as I watched. That was at least 25 years ago; I still have the box. I still remember watching him make it. I still remember thinking how cool it would be if I could ever learn to make boxes like Nick Cook. Now I can.
Another time I asked Nick if I could pay him to apply the special grind he uses to one of my spindle gouges. To my incredible disappointment he said NO. Then he took my spindle gouge and ground it for free in about two minutes. I have taught thousands of turners to use Nick Cook’s spindle gouge grind and it all started with a small two minute piece of Nick’s time.
It doesn’t take much to be generous with your time to others and being generous might only be an extra 2 or 3 minutes sometimes. The next time you are at your turning club meeting, make an effort to introduce yourself to someone new or to someone you don’t know well and strike up a conversation. Take a few minutes to make them feel welcome or to find out what they are struggling with. You might have the answer they have been looking for. When you invite them to a meeting, offer to pick them up and bring them. It is only a few minutes of your time but it might make a world of difference to them. This works for church too. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Prov 18:9 NIV2 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
1Sam 12:23 HCSB As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.
Rom 12:6-8 NIV2 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
By Popular Request Father's Day
Sale Prices have been extended
one more week and are valid
through June 25th, 2019
Including Bottle Stopper Designs - 50 Plus classic designs. Free PDF.
Amazing Doughnut Chuck™ Instructions
ProGrind Instructions
We have bundled several of the most popular documents into one down-loadable zip file for your convenience. Still no charge.
