Special Christmas Gifts – Are You Good Enough?

Yes! You are good enough. Regardless of your current skill level, you will be better next year when you are this year. When I first learned to turn in earnest, early victories came in the form of turned lidded boxes. It was one of those periods most of us go through when I had a lot more time than money for family Christmas presents.

As Christmas quickly approached I spent time at the lathe turning out all manner of small lidded boxes for my rather large family. Although my motivation was pure I really felt inadequate as a turner. I should never have worried, because to this day those small bits of wood have become highly treasured family heirlooms. I don’t think that feeling will ever truly go away as long as we care about the pieces we make and love the people we’re making them for. If we understand that a perfect turning is something we strive to achieve but never actually attain, we will enjoy this journey much more.

So, go ahead and make those gifts knowing that they are special because they came from you. I clearly remember the first time I saw a highly skilled professional wood turner work his magic on a lathe. I could barely comprehend how anyone could take a lump of wood and in just a few minutes produce something so beautiful and so perfect (he knew they were less than perfect, none of the rest of us did). Never forget that what we are able to do at even the most basic level seem extraordinary to most of the other folks in our lives. Whatever you have the time and energy and resources to make will be more than good enough will be appreciated for years to come and is an expression of one of God’s many gifts to you.

The Brown Family remembers first and foremost that He is the “reason for the season” and we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous and blessed New Year, because wherever you go there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message:

Matthew 7:11 KJV

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?