MY
Whenever I have a spare moment that isn't occupied by writing papers, I've been spending it in our wood shop. In the basement of our gymnasium's auditorium, what used to be the dressing room is now an art room / work shop. I built a table during finals week last semester - it was my method of stress relief to punctuate my studying and decompress after an intense exam. I made a desk for the chair in my room during midterm week. And to combat the effects of burnout and writer's block, I've taken to ring-making. They're quick, simple, and easy to make, and allow me to experiment with all sorts of techniques like different kinds of stains, wood burning, carved designs, and scale.
As word has spread of my new hobby, whatever my latest project is becomes a meal-time discussion topic. I'll show my work to anyone who asks, and I've taken some requests for projects. One of the guys asked me if spending time woodworking has changed my devotion to St. Joseph. I had to think about that for a moment. St. Joseph must have been an amazing carpenter. I'm sure he could have made a lot of money if he invested himself completely in his work. But Joseph had priorities. He realized his first calling was for his family, and worked because he loved them. I'm sure he involved them in his work as much as he could: working with Jesus, showing and giving his handiwork to Mary, and being inspired by his love for them. He wouldn't have been ambitious to grow his business if it ever took his attention away from his family - if it stopped being at the service of Jesus and Mary and started being self-serving. I've greatly enjoyed taking the occasional break from my studies to craft and imagine, and sharing my joy with my brothers. But while wood-working has been a refreshing hobby, I have to take care to make sure it continues to point me back toward Christ, my studies, and my brothers.
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Catholic. Archives
July 2023
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