September 2023 News - National Association of Church Facilities Managers

The Wheelbarrow

MESSAGE FROM NACFM PRESIDENT TORY KORTHUIS

Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."

I own a beat up and well used wheelbarrow. It has hauled everything from dirt and rocks to tree stumps and manure. I used to love to pull that old thing out and my kids would suddenly want to help. OK, well, maybe they wanted to supervise until it was empty and then jump in for a ride. Just listening to them scream and laugh filled my heart and made me smile.

My neighbor Hank, a homicide detective for 33 years, had just bought a brand new one. As you can imagine, he is very detailed in everything he does. For example, I came home from work one day, and Hank was laying down on the grass. In my head he was having a heart attack, or something was wrong. I slammed the truck into park, jumped out and ran over. I am happy to tell you that he was fine. In fact, he was cutting the edge of his lawn with hand scissors where his mower had missed. Yes, hand scissors! So it would probably not be a big surprise to tell you that he washed and waxed his wheelbarrow each time he used it. Mine, on the other hand, is dented, has a few holes in it, and to this day, I have no clue what color it was originally. I’m sure it must be jealous of the care given by my neighbor.

One morning a new neighbor who had moved into the neighborhood approached Hank’s wife and asked if he could use their wheelbarrow. He had seen it sitting in the garage. I think he figured it would save time moving items, and of course, she said yes. I was coming home after work, and I noticed our new neighbor driving down the road with Hank's new wheelbarrow. I was surprised to see it bouncing around in the back of the truck. You could not miss this freshly waxed, scratch-and-dent-free wheelbarrow. It was red and shiny. I just hoped maybe I was wrong and someone else had a bright and shiny new wheelbarrow.

Two days later, our new neighbor brought Hank’s wheelbarrow back. The red shiny paint was scratched up and several noticeable dents had been added to the metal surface as the wheelbarrow had been removed from the back of the truck. Also, it was easy to see that the tire was in need of air as he was pushing it up the driveway. I could see that it had not been taken care of; it had been abused, and in no way treated to the level that Hank cares for his equipment. Upon seeing his once well-maintained wheelbarrow, Hank just smiled and told the new neighbor that he hoped it had worked out well and did the job. I think back at this simple “Yes” to the request to borrow a wheelbarrow, a decision that could have grown into a wall of hate towards the new neighbor. In our lives we all need to show our currency, that being love, care, kindness, and, one I sometimes struggle with, forgiveness. We all have many relationships in our lives that are highly valuable - family, friends, and, of course, great neighbors. As the Bible tells us, "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Be merciful, just as your Father in heaven is merciful." (Luke 6:30-31,36).

All of us are friends today and, yes, we joke about this day when we all get together. I thought Hank would have a new case to work on when I saw the wheelbarrow and its condition upon return. When his wheelbarrow was returned Hank decided to give grace and not make a big deal out of the condition of his wheelbarrow. He figured the move was hard on the new neighbor and that stress had played into the wear and tear on the wheelbarrow. Hank was willing to help out with someone else’s burdens and not add to them. "By your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:38) We all get a blessing doing life God's way.

Just a little extra positive note to end this story: Hank received a new, shiny red, waxed wheelbarrow the next Christmas! Even the tire had received an application Armor All! Someone had wrapped it and placed it on Hank’s front porch. Note said “Thank you - From: Anonymous…."

God Bless you all,

Tory Korthuis
NACFM President

Featured Member:

Steve Burr
Hope Church RVA, Richmond, VA

Steve Burr grew up in Upper Marlboro, MD. His devotion to the Lord and to ministry began when in high school. Steve's wrestling coach provided major influence with his devotion to God and his emphasis on excellence.

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In the current issue of CO+OP Magazine, NACFM board member and CCFM James Burns provides some great insights into how we should approach our work and ministry as we care for church facilities. Starting with the Levites of the Old Testament, James relates solid ideas about how and why we should view our FM careers as "priestly" and a holy service to the Lord and his people.

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