The Owl Who Flew Away

When I was a little girl I thought arts and crafts consisted only of painting and drawing and since I couldn't even draw stick people, I decided I must not be talented.

As I've matured, shall we say, I've learned art comes in many forms. I express mine through writing and decorating my home; through music and mission work.

My husband, on the other hand, comes from a family of artisans. His sister can quilt, tole paint, cross stitch and embroider beautiful pictures. There are very few who equal her skill. My husband has several hobbies and artistic talents, but his most recent has found him with a chainsaw in his hand.

Many times through the years we'd visit craft fairs where chainsaw carvings were on display. He would remark, "I could do that."

My response to him, "I'm sure you could."

One day I came home to find a bear waving back to me. Next, he moved on to a flying bald eagle. But the prized beauty of all, a hummingbird, feasting on nectar.

His latest project was a request from dear friends…an owl. The perfect piece of wood was chosen and had been drying for months. Planning began long before shape was given to the wood. My husband looked at several pictures of owls, but ultimately, the vision for his creation was in his mind's eye.

Once the carving began, he worked over a period of several days, fashioning it into the image in his mind. He shaved and cut away all the wood until a beautiful owl stared back at him.

Now it was time for the finishing process. A blow torch was used in strategic places to darken and accentuate the wood such as the eyes and the tree trunk. Polyurethane was applied to seal the wood and also bring out the beauty of the grain in the wood. Several days passed before his creation was dry.

He took it to work to share with the guys at our business. The bear and eagle make their home at our office. He thought they might enjoy seeing his newest endeavor.

And then…he gave it away.

I said to him, "But you spent so much time on him,  and he's so beautiful, isn't it hard to give him away?"

His response to me was this, "It was a little, but I knew from the beginning I was making him to give away."

This thought went through my mind at the time…Jesus was God's only Son, made perfect, crafted by a loving God for us. He gave Him, knowing we'd use wood to make a cross to crucify Him thirty three years later. And yet, it was in His plan from the beginning of time.

He loves us that much to give His blameless Son. The perfect Artist gave His best creation so we might live.

As we approach this holy Easter month, don't forget the sacrifice God made in giving His Son for us. May we be wise like the owl and trust Him who knew no sin.