In Between the Studs

Christ rests in the walls of a home being built. He is yellow and orange foam squeezed between the cracks of windows and studs, keeping out cold and holding in the warmth of family. He is Tyvec tape used to seal paper on the back of yellow R-13 insullation. He brings warm temperatures to hard working disciples eager to see his presence with them, even if just a glimpse of his smile or comforting hands. He holds up soffets, drills holes in cross beams, and moves a simple broom across a floor, cleaning the desbris of dust and hard work, assembles tools, and pounds huge threaded screws into foundation poles. He operates the saw that cuts the siding that occupies time committed by volunteers. He comes in the steps of wet sand that sticks to the bottoms of workboots, fills the hearts of long distance workers, and He amazes the project manager who expected a job to take days instead of hours. He brings sun and cool wind to the days of cold and clouds, and lightens the load of the worried who look to his resurrection as a sign of their new lives. He....is everywhere that we go here in New Orleans.



If you have your doubts, then you should look into the eyes of Wanda, who will occupy one of the homes that we worked on this day. For 17 months she has come to the well looking for water, and leaves each day with life giving and eternal water. She will feel his warmth at Christmas, when they hand her the keys to her HOME, and in the silent moments of her first night in her home, after 10PM, when all the kids are asleep. When she can be still, and know that God has answered her prayers.



Check out your workroom, your utility draw, or your garage closets. Which tools will he ask you to use?



David Alexander