A Groove Is Just A Groove, Isn't It?

Like any hobby, woodworking has it’s own specialized vocabulary, which means some of the words sound funny to our ears the first time we hear them. There are words like ‘jig,’ ‘kerf’, or ‘collet.’ How about ‘ogee,’ ‘mortise,’ ‘burl,’ or ‘spalted?’ One day, I might even write about a ‘memer’ and a ‘dohour.’

The reason for such variety is that each word communicates a certain detail or aspect that might not seem important, but properly applied, can make the difference between ‘Isn’t that nice,’ and ‘Wow!!’ Personally, I want the wow!

For instance, take the word ‘dado.’ It’s used to join a shelf to a bookcase or to secure the bottom of a drawer. It refers to a rectangular slot or trough milled into a piece of wood. But it’s even more specific than that. It deals with how the slot lines up with the grain of the wood. If the slot runs along the direction of the grain, it’s called a groove. But run that slot against the grain, and well, you’ve got yourself a dado. It looks a lot like a groove and is probably made by the same tool. But it is different. The grain makes all the difference.

Grain refers to the way the fibers are laid out in the tree from which the piece of wood is cut. Run a groove along the grain, and everybody’s happy with clean entry and exit points on the end. But run that groove against the grain and things can go south. Precautions need to be taken, or as the blade exits the wood, the final fibers will tear and splinter. And suddenly, you find yourself running to Lowe’s to find a specific color of wood filler to try and cover your mistake. The word helps us know the difference, and knowing the difference can have a big impact in how things turn out.

Consider that principle and apply to how we deal with the people around us. Our Lord showed us time after time how important it is to know the context of our interactions. Depending upon the day and circumstance, we might hear Jesus ask a simple question. On another occasion, His teaching is direct and to the point. One moment we see Him praise the faith of a follower. Then, just a paragraph or two later, He offers a sharp rebuke to the same follower that failed to grasp His teaching. One day He offers His hand for children to come and be blessed. On another day, we see that hand holding a whip and overturning the tables of scam artists at the temple.

My great desire is to choose my words as carefully as I choose my tools. Some situations call for a clean, black and white answer. Some call for a well stated question. Some need to encourage and comfort. Some need to confront and challenge. As I’ve experienced far too many times, failure to understand ‘which way the grain is running,’ in my conversations leads to splinters and rough edges. Oh, how I pray my interactions with others might be described with a ‘wow!’

Dear Lord, I need wisdom from you today. Help me undertand and and guide me to choose my words well. Put my own desires to the side and give me the discipline and courage to follow Your agenda. Amen.

Measure Twice!

DLB