The Hands Project: He fixes that which is broken
"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other."
~ 1 Corinthians 12:7 ~
Welcome to "The Hands Project", where I'll be exploring, learning, reflecting and stepping outside of my comfort zone as I attempt to capture in photographs this vision in my soul. It started while going through my photography portfolio not too long ago... I noticed that I am particularly drawn to hands. There is something powerful there that I am still slowly unwrapping.
Why? What is it about them? It's clear that our hands are what make this world go 'round... they put into action our thoughts, ideas and skills to make a difference in the lives around us in ways that we often don't even think about. In a sense, we just do what we've been made to do!
But it's more than that - our hands are a platform for expressing our gifts and talents that we've been given by God Himself. We carry out and carry on the work of Jesus in the use of our hands - whether we realize it or not - in the ways we use our gifts to positively impact those within our span of reach, often one person at a time.
So here we go!
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He fixes that which is broken:
These days, I feel like one of my primary jobs as a mom is getting my boys where they need to be and back home again, which includes school, sports, work, and fun! Not to mention the many trips to the grocery store, appointments, vet, photo shoots, and this week... Christmas shopping. As most parents, I drive my vehicle A LOT on a regular basis, filling up my gas tank at least once a week, sometimes more! When I stop and think about it, what would I even do without it? Our life would look VERY different!
There's one person who makes sure, to the best of his ability, that things continue running as smoothly as possible: my mechanic. I am so grateful for the hands of this mechanic in particular, because he's my husband! Not only does he work so hard every day to provide for the needs of our family of 5 (6 if you include the dog!), he has always made it a top priority to make sure everything is in good working order in our home and our vehicles.
I knew from an early time in our relationship that my husband, Frank, has a gift for fixing things, as well as wisdom to know how to prevent things from breaking (which includes changing the oil in my vehicle every 3,000 miles, despite the 6-10k miles recommended by manufacturers).
"Proper car maintenance ensures the safety of your precious cargo: your family," he states.
Now, this wisdom has been gained through life experience and from those God has put in his path along the way, using their own gifts to teach him. But the passion, drive, and unexplainable yearning to work using his hands? That he was born with. It was clear from a young age that he was mechanically inclined.
His mom's best way of explaining it: "He was born with a matchbox car in his hand, and motor oil running through his veins."
From Day 1, he had a curiosity and a passion for engines and all things mechanical. "When I was young, my dad would eventually have to hide the tools from me," Frank explains, "because I had a tendency to take things apart so I could see how they worked, but I didn't know yet how to put them back together."
He recalls his dad teaching him how to change the oil on his 1979 Ford Ranger F150 around 8 or 9 years old. Recognizing that Frank's mechanical mind needed more guidance than what he could give, his dad connected him with others who could teach, mentor and nurture his gifts and curiosities, which took him down a multitude of paths at different points in his life, including plumbing, HVAC, RC cars, and drag racing, to name a few.
"Learning how to work on cars and all things mechanical has been more a matter of allowing me to apply how my mind works vs. anything else. There is a range of mechanical ability, and I find myself somewhere in the middle. Through being able to work on things, I have also been able to save a significant amount of money for our family, and in some instances, been able to help others."
With a degree in Automotive Technology and working for an engine manufacturer, he is filled most when he is problem solving and fixing things at work and at home. "I just love the challenge of fixing things." It's his gift. It's one of his greatest strengths and contributions to our family and the world within his reach.
It may be starting to rub off on our 14-year-old son, who, when something breaks now, has changed his question from, "Can I get a new _______?" to "Dad, can you help me fix ________?" (And with today's technology, there's never a shortage of things that need fixing!)
Frank has walked in blind faith following his passions throughout his life, and strongly encourages others to do the same.
Thank you, Lord, for these hands.
Thanks so much for reading! I'm Kristen Amber, and I'm a photographer specializing in business branding, families & newborns. If you need pictures, I'd love to hear from you and learn about how I can serve you!