My Introduction to a ripper

My grandmother loaned me my first ripper. She lived with two adult sons on a large farm. At a family reunion she mentioned her back problems and the busy  week ahead. It was threshing season and all the local men would be working two or three days at their farm. She would be expected to provide a large noon meal for 20 plus men.

Considering the situation, my mother decided I should stay to help. My cousin had planned to spend the week, so she had clothing. I had only one extra outfit. As the week continued I needed more clothing. My grandmother had some fabric and a pattern, so I started to make an outfit. As always, I was in a hurry and made mistakes.

I was sitting, painstakingly removing a mistake one stitch at a time. She saw me and handed me a ripper, “Try this.”

I started using it and exclaiming, “Oh, this is wonderful. What a wonderful tool!” This continued all afternoon.

That Christmas the other cousins received various gifts, but I received a ripper.

I was using the ripper one day and thought wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we had a ripper for our life, to rip out the wrong choices, bad attitudes, and mistakes in general. I remembered the scripture from Isaiah and realized we do. We have Christ.

 Through Christ all things can be made new. I have seen a marriage healed, even after unfaithfulness. I have seen a drug dealer, renewed, and star of the church choir. These are dramatic, but Christ is working in many smaller, daily ways.

I wondered if I could use a little ripping each day:

One: saying I’m sorry rips out a lot of harsh words. I was sometimes harsh with my children. In talking to the adult children, I have found the times I was wrong and apologized are almost forgotten. The times I was harsh and did not apologize continue to be remembered. An apology is a wonderful ripper.

My husband took our two year old granddaughter, Gail,  for a walk. She started for the road. When she continued after being told to stop, her grandfather reprimanded her. They both returned with glum faces. It was time for Gail’s nap and I didn’t want her going to bed with that attitude. I remembered the power of an apology and suggested she say, “I’m sorry.” to her grandfather. She readily complied and all hurt was removed. She went to bed with smiles and her grandfather got a big hug.

Two:  Saying thank you can remove resentments. I was in a small church. It seemed everyone worked to do as much as possible for other members. It was not a one up manship, which you might expect, but a beautiful attitude of serving. I have talked to other members years later and we all noticed what a special attitude existed in that church. I believe it was the gratitude and appreciation shown to those working in the church. A Thank You can have a great impact in preventing resentments and encouraging others.

Three: A kind word at the right time can have tremendous impact. Prov. 16:24: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Many find the time for the right word at a passing meeting (checkout clerks, etc.). I work part time as a help person from my home. Some people get impatient and harsh. But, a comment – “you’re a genius” – can keep me going for days.

So I challenge you to “put a ripper in your pocket” as you go about your life this week.