Toolbox

What do you keep in your toolbox? Or do you know someone else who has all the tools you need to borrow whenever you need them? Are you the kid who went off to set up an apartment on your own and so you needed to start your own toolbox? Maybe your mom or your dad gave you a nice "starter set" with a hammer, a multi-head set of screw drivers, maybe a pair of needle-nosed pliers or a little level or a square, or perhaps your own picture-hanging kit? Could be you needed a toilet plunger and a needle and thread. Even a decent pair of scissors was something you always had "at home" but realized the new kitchen drawers did not come equipped with even the most basic tools?

I'm thinking about toolboxes today after sitting quietly (for the most part) at the Mission Advocate weekend Carman reported to you yesterday. One of the tasks that has been mine for the better part of the past ten years or so has been as keeper of the toolbox.

The "tools" I've looked after have been the books, or the newsletters, or the workshops, or the websites, or the easy checklists to make this or that task smoother. You need to know how to run a retreat, or a meeting, or identify the right guest speaker or what your mentors need to know to be as effective as possible? "Give Marion a call" has become the advice that gets offered.

Not that you can't do it yourself. Most of you really do have access to that whole toolbox yourself. In fact, as I was looking around that room this weekend past, I was feeling pretty comfortable that this group are very, very well-equipped. They have experience; they have skills. There is a whole dynamic at work here with just so much know-how and wisdom that I feel just fine moving on to the next phase in my life--whatever that may look like. This job will be in good hands.

While I'm still around please feel free to avail yourself of any of the tools I'm still holding. I have begun to give away my books. I would love to have conversations with anyone interested in some of my most reliable sources. If a day should come when you really aren't sure exactly how to use some weird and wonderful tool you've seen me use, then give me a call and we'll chat about it.

But I'm pretty confident that you all have a whole box full of tools of your own that will serve you just fine in whatever adventure you undertake next. I especially liked the phrases shared this weekend, reminding us all that "your continuing faith adventure with God has been divinely led, eventful, challenging, and sometimes surprising to you. By the grace of God you are poised to fulfill God's ultimate vision for the church." (D&C 164:9a)

You have tools for the job. And as you go you'll add more to the box. Maybe the next Good Word needs to be "adventure."

Posted by Marion