Holding the World Together

 

I found this in my kitchen drawer this morning. It’s a lemon zester. I don’t think I have ever zested a lemon. I’m not sure what possessed me to purchase a lemon zester…I’ve never been into cooking.

I am so glad I bought it though.  

Because, about 22 years ago, this lemon zester went everywhere with us.

When my oldest son was two years old, he was very imaginative, very spirited, and very much wanting to be like a grown-up. He wanted to use tools and fix things. This kid was always a little too smart for my own good though and he recognized the difference between a real tool and a toy. Little, brightly colored, hollow plastic hammers and screwdrivers were not cutting it for him. We tried some that looked real- they had plastic wood grain handles, and gray metallic looking blades and heads. Even those weren’t convincing him.

He wanted a real tool to use.

So I found the lemon zester, still shiny new (maybe even in the package?!) and I gave it to him. There was no way he could hurt himself with it. There were no sharp edges or pointy parts. But it was made from real metal and had a strong black handle that wouldn’t fall off or crack even with his aggressive style of play. He loved his tool and called it his “Worker Fing” and carried it with him always.

I’m pretty sure he kept his little world held tightly and firmly together thanks to that “worker fing.” I know for certain that a few dozen chairs were strengthened and countless bikes repaired using his handy and always available worker fing.

I share this story for 2 reasons- First, as parents we must be creative. We don’t always have to please our children or give them everything they desire. But it is important to listen to them and to respect their interests if we are to nurture the gifts God has given them. Second- and I know this is overstated but they grow up so quickly! My little ‘carpenter” is now 24 years old! He did not grow up to build or fix things for a living. He is an entrepreneur and a businessman but, he is pretty darn capable when things around his house break down. And, more importantly, he believes in himself and takes on any and all challenges that life sends his way. He is an amazing person and that little lemon zester in my drawer reminds me of how blessed I am to be his mom.