More than FLET
04/06/18 13:52
Again, there were only five students on Saturday for the FLET bible program. But I discovered something more. Beside the church, in a small brick “house” (if you can call it that), I have often heard machinery at work. So on this visit, I decided to investigate.
I found a woman and a young man running a large, industrial loom. Pretty impressive! Who would imagine something like that in the rural mountains! (I didn’t take a picture out of respect, since I had never met them before, and they didn’t know me.) The woman then showed me three more machines! Wow!
After our bible study, I returned to meet the woman’s husband, and we talked a while about his industry. Over the years he has developed this business of buying thread and weaving fabric on his machines. He explained to me the process of weaving the fabric, then cleaning off the lint, then ironing and folding it.
As we talked, three of them, he and his wife and daughter, were feeding the cloth into a very simple iron press. He hopes to save enough money to buy a more modern press for ironing the cloth. He would like to buy more modern looms, but the cost is way beyond his possibilities. (Who or what bank would lend him twenty thousand?)
But I learned something that shocked me. I asked him, “So are you preparing your heirs for when they take over this great business?” He answered, “Only one son, helping me here, is interested in making and selling fabric. The other two prefer to carry sacks of potatoes at the market.” I grieved. Two sons with no desire to improve their lives. At least one wants to stay out of poverty.
I remember Ephesians 4:23 - “to be made new in the attitude of your minds.” The change begins there, whether it’s weaving fabric or studying the bible. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). We all need a Christ-given vision for our lives.