It has been nearly two years since I began my she shed project at my mountain cabin property. The she shed structure’s progress has encountered several road blocks along the way. That first summer it took several months, instead of days, to improve the build site and complete the custom designed Tuff Shed properly. Last fall, improvements to Sherry’s She Shed were halted due to the Cameron Peak wildfire evacuation. Then, winter set in. Now, I’m back at it with some help and the she shed structure’s (say that three times fast) progressing again.
Adding a window view, Photo by slc
I recently hired a family friend and master carpenter, Matt Tanner, to install a window I purchased at Home Depot last fall. I asked him to install it with the bottom sill about 32″ from the floor so my desk can sit right underneath it. Matt also added 2″ x 4″ bracing around the small windows on two sides of the shed. Little did I know at the time, but I saved a ton of money since I purchased the materials last fall. Building materials are now outrageously expensive.
Added 2×4 window blocking, Photo by slc
Once Matt finished installing the window and bracing, I was able to complete the insulation installation. Finally, the she shed structure’s progressing and now it has a window view.
New She Shed Structure with a Window View, Photo by slc
Window View, Photo by slc
Neighbor’s Rubbish Pile, Photo by slc
P.S. A hiccup I’m dealing with now is the neighbor’s new rubbish pile on their property but is also near the entrance to mine:
Sing, sing a song Make it simple to last Your whole life long Don’t worry that it’s not Good enough for anyone Else to hear Just sing, sing a song
Sung by The Carpenters, 1973
Over the past year, I have been reading a series of books by Samuel Dickey “S.D.” Gordon. “In the early 1900’s, Gordon was a widely traveled speaker in high demand. A prolific author, he wrote more than 25 devotional books, most with the phrase ‘Quiet Talks’ in the title.” Currently, Quiet Talks on Service has been my morning page turner. When I read the following passages recently, they reminded me of the song by The Carpenters. I think they go hand in hand in today’s crazy world where many, including me, have felt anxious or worried more than ever. The following are Gordon’s words from over a hundred years ago. I hope they speak to you as they did to me….
Anxious for Nothing.
“In Philippians, chapter four, verses six and seven, are the words that contain the rules: ‘In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.'”
“The first rule is this, anxious for nothing. In other words, don’t worry. Deliberately refuse to think about annoying things. Set yourself against being disturbed by disturbing things. Say to yourself, it is useless, it has bad results, it is sinful, it is reproaching my Master, I won’t. That is the first simple rule.”
Thankful for Anything.
“The second helps to carry out the first. It is this, thankful for anything. Thanksgiving and praise are always associated with singing. When you feel the worry mood creeping on–it is a mood that attacks you–when it comes sing something, especially something with Jesus’ name in it. These temptations to worry are from the Evil One. He can come in only through an open door. Remember that. Yet the open doors seem plenty. Even when we trustingly and resolutely keep every door of evil shut the circle in which we move will open doors upon us. Singing something with Jesus’ name in it sends him or any of his brood off quickly.”
“Some one asked me if whistling would do. She was a busy housewife and said that was her rule. I have gone to singing myself. But maybe whistling is just as good. I’m inclined to favor giving it a place within the range of this rule.”
“There’s a bit of deep, simple philosophy here. Music is divine. There is no music in the headquarters of the enemy. He has used it a great deal on the earth. That’s a bit of his cunning. But he always has to steal it from God’s sphere, and work it over to suit his own crafty purposes. Music, singing, is an open doorway for the Spirit of God to come in, and come in anew and move freely. Its sweet harmonies found their birth in the presence of God where sweetest harmonies reign. Lovers of music should be lovers of God, for He is the one great Master-musician.”
“We should use the musician more in our days of battle. And God has wonderfully provided every one of us with a music-box of sweet melodies. If we would only open the lid, and let frequent use wear off the rust, and sing His praise more. In music God speaks to us anew with great power. This is the second rule, thankful for anything.”
Prayerful about Everything
“The third rule helps to make both first and second effective. These three are closely interwoven.”
“There’s a morning coming, always a morning coming, with the sunshine and the chorus of the birds. Love’s discipling touch that seems at the moment like anger is only for a moment. The loving favor is for always, a lifetime of eternal life.”
“Again David says, ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.'”
“…if a thing is big enough to concern you, it is not too small for Him ‘because He has you on His heart.’ For your sake He is eager to help in anything, however small in itself it may seem.”
“Peace is the gentle even flowing of the river. Joy is where the waters go bubbling, leaping with ecstatic bound, and forever after, as they go on, making the channel deeper for the quiet flow of peace.”
“These three rules really mean living ever in that Master’s presence. When we realize that He is ever alongside then it will be easier to be anxious for nothing, thankful for anything, prayerful about everything.”
