Reflections (coppersmith)

I suppose every preacher who ever heard Dr. Buskirk tell the story of the coppersmith has told it a kazillion times.  We make it our own when it gets into the "preacher's soul".  It goes something like this.
The church embarked upon a project to construct a new building.  One design plan called for a steeple to be placed on the top of the building.  An older gentleman in the church, a coppersmith, volunteered to build the steeple for the top of the building.  His offer was graciously accepted.
Each day the coppersmith would go into his workshop and work.  He constantly measured his work to ensure that when he completed the steeple it could be taken out of the shop and secured on top of the building.  He carefully designed the steeple.  He meticulously formed its shape.  He forged and filed. 
People would stop in to ask how the work was going.  His response was always the same.  "I am fashioning it down here so it will fit up there."
One day the pastor stopped by as the man was working.  He was there when the bell rang and school let out for the day.  Soon a little boy popped into the workshop.  It was the coppersmith's grandson.  He came by every day after school, on his way home.  They would have a short conversation.  Then it was "lets do our thing", and the two of them would pray together.
This day they were joined by the pastor.  The coppersmith said to his grandson, "let's do our thing", and they invited the pastor to join them.  Together they got on their knees in the copper filings and prayed.  As they did, the sound of other boys and girls could be heard.  They teased Johnny.  "Johnny, prays with his grandpa, Johnny prays with his grandpa."
When they finished the little boy hopped up, gave his grandpa a hug, and ran off to join the others.  The pastor was a bit stunned.  He felt bad because the little boy was teased for praying.  When he expressed his concern, the grandfather waved him off.  He pointed out, "I am fashioning him down here so he will fit up there."
That story has been part of me for forty years.  It comes back occasionally.  Today I am reminded that God continues to fashion us.
In these days of "stay-at-home" we have some choices to make regarding how we deal with this.  We are dealing with this moment physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  We may get tired.  We may "crack up".  But what if...What if God graciously uses this time to "fashion us down here so we will fit up there?"
Even more accurately for our context...God is fashioning us IN here so we will fit (serve) OUT there.
There is a tomorrow coming.  There is a future in store.
This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
steve