I have always loved staining wood. Giving new life to a piece on its way to a burn pile or bringing to life what has been waiting to be revealed; wood grains now visible and featured. Like individual fingerprints of the tree from which it came. There is beauty in wood. In the transformation. In the finished product. In the use of it for years to come.I’ve had my share of opportunities to see this transformation during our recent home renovation. Probably more than I care to have again… But it was these two particular pieces of wood that made the biggest impression; that provided a life lesson I could take with me beyond the project.

The vast difference in color amazed me since I used the same stain on the corner shelf as I did the barn door. One gray with a few hints of brown, the other varying shades of brown with gray only visible upon close inspection. Same brush, same can, same stain color, same poly coating. Yet it produced drastically different results. The only difference in the two was the type of wood I started with, and that led to a new realization… God has created us all so different; He uniquely knit us together in our mother’s womb, not one of us the same. We have different DNA, life experiences, personalities – we are ALL KINDS of different types of wood. And thankfully so. Being comprised of so many variances, it is no surprise that when life happens, when turmoil comes, when trauma hits, when our ground gets shaken, we all respond very differently. The same exact situation can cause one person’s strength to be revealed yet cause another to crumble beneath the weight. Trauma can cause great faith to be exemplified or fear and disbelief be displayed for all to see. Devastating news can result in a leaning into our Creator or a complete turning away from Him. Same situations, drastically different results.

So let us give much grace when others do not respond in the same way we do. We don’t have their grain, their makeup, their genetics, their personality, or their life experiences. Even if they experience the exact same trauma as we have; it is okay for them to respond in a completely different manner. Let us see the person as God sees them. As valuable. Priceless. Child of the Most High God. At the same time, let us be aware of our own responses when the carpet gets pulled out beneath our feet. When the weight becomes too much to bear. When we are barely keeping afloat. When we feel as if we are drowning; gasping for each breath. Because, unlike wood, we do have a choice of how the finished project will look upon completion. We get to choose if we will lean into our faith, or away from it. If we will keep our eyes on Jesus. If we will allow others to walk along side us or shut them out. If we will completely surrender the hardship and trust our Savior with outcomes, or try desperately to cling to the illusion of control; continually grasping for a rope just out of reach.

Friends, let us be full of grace for those we love as they work through trials differently, loving them where they are. Encouraging them to the other side. And as we endure hardships of our own, let us be Intentional of how we handle our trials that will affect our finished project. And may we journey through together, to be beautiful reflections of who God has called us to be.

Much Love,

TyiaLynn