I’M NO STRANGER TO TAILGATES
I’ve never been to a tailgate party, but I’m no stranger to tailgates.
Blueprints were almost as much a part of our heritage as the Good Book was. I remember my dad scanning the boring blueprint pages laid out on a pickup tailgate with a contractor or worker, sometimes by his lonesome. I was the bored kid using scraps in a pile of job site debris to make pretend guns, spears, and forts.
Maybe that was the inspiration for all the forts I built? That or the fact that it was just part of my DNA. Maybe that could also be the scapegoat for the pilfering of job sites that I used to build them.
It didn’t take long to figure out that the best part of building those flimsy forts was the building part of it. Once they were done my buddies and I didn’t have a lot of use for them. Being built in the middle of desert arroyos, (a fancy name for desert foothill washes), it also didn’t take long to figure out that the rats had plenty of use for them.
It seemed like an eternity, but it wasn’t but less than a decade later and l was standing behind a pickup truck with the tailgate down looking over blueprints. And I was still thinkin’ that calling them “blue” didn’t make a lick uh sense, since they were mostly white.
It would be impossible to put a number on the amount of time I’ve spent looking over blueprints, on a slab, tailgate, or in offices. It’s even more improbable to put the amount of days, months, or years I spent at a desk designing my own projects that would one day come to be laid out on desks, slabs, bid plan tables… and of course tailgates.
We have plenty of office space these days… but I prefer being outside. Meetings are a part of life now-a-days. Some of them I can’t steer outside and to the backside of a Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Toyota, or Hummer for that matter… but some of them I can.
I think about the old adage “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” That makes sense and a plan, or plans, is part of a wise process. We don’t have blueprints for our lives, but we have plans, dreams and desires.
I’ve built so many structures I couldn’t even begin to find them. They’re mostly in Arizona, but they’re in several states. Of all those structures, and all those plans, not a single one was perfect. They all had flaws. That’s part of the challenge to manage jobs and people.
I think our lives are like that. We plan, but we run into problems with the plans and how we navigate around them are how we determine our success in life. Even if our plans are perfect, at least in our mind, we aren’t the Great architect. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
I think about Noah building that massive boat. And David designing the temple, Paul making tents… and of course the Greatest Carpenter. Whatever our calling I believe our job is to do it in a manner that brings our Maker honor. What we do, who we are, has purpose. It doesn’t have to be a grand thing. It just has to be what God designed us for in order for us to be gratified in our works.
I’m no stranger to tailgates… and neither is God Almighty… He’s with us wherever we are and whatever we do. And I’m pretty sure he loves the smell of churned up dirt and fresh cut lumber.
Sunday, November 17, 2019 @ 5:25 pm
“It doesn’t have to be a grand thing.” I agree, but the fact that we work hard and steadfast means everything to the Lord.
I love what you did in the picture that you posted. I remember at one time I also wanted to be an architect. I had all these visions and floor plans for these beautiful houses. But measurements weren’t my thing at the time (I couldn’t read a simple ruler). I’ve made some really bad plans in my life, and continue to do so. But I keep planning.
Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 3:18 am
God has a blueprint for our lives, according to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What He asks of us is “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23). Sounds like you are doing your best to follow His Word, Floyd. I always look forward to your Sunday posts, Floyd. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 3:36 am
I guarantee that He loves churned up dirt and the smell of cut wood. He grew up with it too. Love your thoughts here my friend. But WOW! 12′ high shower! Usually I’m trying to get under a shower spray. This would be so different. Just gotta wonder if you are building that for Goliath. Looks like a great room though.
Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 5:33 am
Looks Great! Planning is essential. Even the plans B and C… which I tend to navigate to more often than not. The critical piece you hit upon… “Whatever our calling I believe our job is to do it in a manner that brings our Maker honor. ” Regardless if my plans are adjusted or even fail… this is our primary goal.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 @ 5:40 pm
Just has this conversation today Ryan and Bill with a couple of ladies who were not agreeing on thanksgiving decorations and how to do this and that. I almost got up and walked out but God put his hand heavy on me and prompted me to pray for wisdom and flexibility.
Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 5:34 am
This is such an incredible analogy, Floyd! Yes, we can have all the dreams and plans for our lives we can imagine, but only God creates the blueprint our lives will ultimately follow. It looks like you have faithfully followed the blueprint the Lord has put before you, using your talents and skills in such productive and creative ways. That’s a blessing!
Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 6:39 pm
WOW! Your building project is amazing!!! Just beautifully crafted and designed. Thank you for the reminder that God designs and orchestrates our lives. I needed that reminder right now during a season of such uncertainty. May the Lord bless you, brother!
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 @ 10:53 am
Growing up in the country, I’m no stranger to a lot of afternoons sitting on a tailgate passing the time. 🙂 So grateful for talented people like you who work out important details on tailgates and other places to make our world a more beautiful place.