Parables of Steel # 151

The old china cabinet was close to 80 years of old.  It had been used for many different things.  It was once a prized piece of furniture.  Now it sat in a neglected corner of the basement.  Inside were old video tapes and on the top were various pieces of junk.  Nearby one of the male children was playing a video game.  The game was not going well for the young man and in frustration he lashed out and kicked the cabinet.  Immediately the glass in the door shattered and fell to the floor.  A little later the dad of the family came down stairs and saw the damage.  He asked his son what happened to which the son confessed his responsibility of the damage.  A decision needed to be made would the china cabinet be repaired or thrown out?  After considering the age and the fact that it was a family heirloom the dad decided to repair the cabinet.  He took the cabinet out to his workshop.  He removed the broken door and sent it to a local repair shop.  He then sanded off the old finish and it was then that the true beauty and construction of the cabinet was revealed.  Underneath was a beautiful rosewood finish.  He applied an appropriate stain that enhanced the grain and beauty of the wood.  After several coats and proper lacquer the transformation was amazing.  He did the same to the repaired door and all the family marvelled at the finished product.  The cabinet instead of being put back into basement was put in a prominent place in the dining room and became the showcase cabinet for all the fine china in the home.  The lesson we can learn is that a present exterior does not always reveal true beauty.  It takes a master craftsman who with patience and time to restore true value and beauty.  God is the master craftsman who with time and patience will restore any marred or damaged life.