My Dad fixed all our cars. He was capable and, honestly, we couldn’t afford a mechanic for everything. And I spent a lot of “garage” time with him, although he didn’t have a garage when I was growing up and we were actually spending time in the driveway–occasionally under a tarp. {smile} He taught me more then just how to check my oil, although I was never a natural mechanic like he and my husband are. But I know my way around a toolbox and, with direction, have been involved in some pretty large backyard under-takings.

For example, I now know what the inside of a 4×4 transfer case looks like.

It’s not my favorite pastime, that’s for sure. But it’s funny how these extremely stressful times of my childhood became a partial, unconscious, litmus test for any future husband–I mean, if I can change my own starter and alternator, how could I spend my life married to someone that couldn’t? Oh no…I had to find someone that knew how to do more than me. That’s what Dads do–they raise the bar for future husbands. {smile}

So good luck gentlemen…

Here’s a true story…In college I was having trouble with my car and we diagnosed the problem (via phone) as possibly a bad fuel filter. The local shop gave me a quote of $300 because the fuel filter is in the gas tank, which you have to drop out of the car to get to the filter to change it and that’s a big pain in the neck. Called my Dad back because I didn’t have that kind of money and he told me to take the bus for a few days and let him look into it.

A few days later I  get a package from home…a check?

Nope.

A Chilton manual and a note saying–“Read page 123, get the parts from Advanced, and call me on Saturday.”

That Saturday afternoon I changed the fuel filter in my car in the apartment parking lot for $40. (Turns out that particular model isn’t in the gas tank.)

But Mr. Fix-It doesn’t use a manual. {smile} He just looks at it while he takes it apart and then puts it back together the same way. And lately the Ladybug’s been his helper. The Cowboy knows his way around the garage and tools better, but he’s been busy with a recent obsession with modulus Nerf guns. Speedracer is pretty good too, but he prefers building things to taking things apart so he’s better at farm stuff than mechanic stuff.

No matter who’s out there, I’m happy. They all need to learn, not just to work on the car, but that sometimes we have to do not-fun, dirty, knuckle-busting stuff to take care of home and family.

And maybe in the future they won’t work on their own car–but I want to be sure they grow up respecting the people who do.

Blue-collar jobs are not jobs of last resort for folks that didn’t do well in school. They’re not what you have to do “if you don’t do well in school.” They’re not “don’t end up like me” jobs. They are a whole different skill set, a whole different mind set, and I want them to know if they’re bent that way we are ok with that. We’re more than ok with that! We think that’s great! We want to know if they have aptitudes and encourage them that they don’t have to put that aside and try to be something else if that’s where they feel called. Hands-on work can be a calling–and it’s valuable!

I want my children to value competence as much as they value accomplishment–in themselves and others.

And that’s my dirt under the fingernails soap box for the day! {smile}

We discovered that the gear chain stretched and needs to be replaced. Now finding the parts is becoming a little creative challenge. Meanwhile Mr. Fix-It and I were out in a torrential downpour the other day changing the break calipers on the GMC to keep it safely on the road while the Hemi is in pieces–bless my hard-working husband’s heart! Lately if it’s not one thing it’s another.

But isn’t it funny how the more challenges life throws at you, the more clearly you are able to see God’s direct, specific, provision and protection in your life? Was changing the breaks in the rain at night fun? No. But 25 miles down the road a family was mourning the loss of their child and loved ones in a tornado, from the same storm dumping buckets on us. We. Are. Blessed. It’s hard to wrap your arms, your mind, your heart around these things, but we need to never lose sight of eternity in the muck and mud of the moment.

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:22-32)

How are you and yours? How’s the homestead or home place looking lately? We’ve got daffodils popping up and the grass just starting to haze the fields. And lambs–of course!–the remind us of Spring.