Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1364002
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM APRIL 21-27, 2021 UCW 17 DAN DEBRULER, General Manager, WCLN. Comments? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200. FAITH I added a new table to the WCLN studios. Nothing fancy. It was crafted from rough and flawed pieces of walnut boards I picked up somewhere. I decided to leave many flaws untouched and even finish it with raw steel hairpin legs as a nod to my oldest son – an artist whose chosen media was metal before passing not long ago. Seeing the table each day has caused to me think about what craftsmanship means to me in the first place. Like many people I know, my life is busy. My calendar would be full of gatherings of all shape and form if I dared to keep one. In fact, not acting surprised when I'm reminded of a birth- day, anniversary, dance recital or social gathering I should have remembered is something I've developed into almost an art form. And as much as my wife and I are able to participate, we do. But I love to retreat, too. More often than not, a retreat for me doesn't mean a getaway to the beach or the beautiful North Carolina mountains. In- stead, it's more likely to involve an invitation for the family dog to join me on the short walk to the workshop behind our house. In that calm respite from the busyness of daily life, I create things. Sometimes I work in the quiet with just my thoughts, and other times I'll turn the music up to drown them out. I work with a number of materials, but wood is easily my favorite medium. e wood in my shop is com- prised largely of castoffs. From exotic hardwoods to common lumber, I gather small or other- wise insignificant pieces from industries which see no need for them. To others they are scraps, but to me, each piece is nothing less than a treasure. More than a hobby, wood- working has become a reflection of the life I've been given to live. Occasionally I'll make some- thing on commission, but rarely sell what I create. e whole idea changes the game. Woodworking is about see- ing the individual beauty and usefulness of each piece of wood — large or small — and starting a process of preserving, prepar- ing and giving that piece a new purpose. In short, it's about redemption. Without the grace and re- demption I found in Jesus Christ, my life would be noth- ing. I was probably considered a castoff by many when Jesus found me, but He saw some- thing useful and has been preparing and preserving me since 1981, and even in the times when I feel I have nothing to offer, He assures me there is a greater purpose for my life. For every life. It's difficult to convey all of that when I offer someone a simple gift made from those redeemed pieces of wood. But each item I place in someone's hands is more than an object to me. It's the fruit of many labors. No item is perfect, and each one is absolutely unique. Just like you are. Westwood Shopping Center & Fort Bragg Steve & Debbie Milburn, Owners We Specialize in: ANYTHING! We Print, Pack & Ship! • Acrylic Photos • Photo Stickers • Magnets • Custom Puzzles • Signs • Banners • Business Cards • Digital & Wide Format Printing • Notary Services • Mailbox Solutions • UPS/USPS • Packaging Material/ Supplies • Military/AAA/AARP discounts • AND MUCH MORE! Print/Sign Shop The UPS Store We s t w o o d & Fo r t B r a g g Picture Perfect Gifts Made for Mom IN STORE! Delivering Gifts of Appreciation to Moms Everywhere! L O C A L V E T E R A N O W N E D B U S I N E S S Westwood: 439 Westwood Shopping Center 910.860.1220 | theupsstorelocal.com/2974 Fort Bragg: Fort Bragg Mini-Mall 910.436.7877 | theupsstorelocal.com/4787 Retreats from busy life can offer redemption, grace by DAN DEBRULER