A Piece of Wood – It doesn’t look like much. Just a black piece of wood that most people would have tossed into the trash without giving it a second thought.
I found it while helping my husband, Shawn, clean out the sound booth at church. As soon as I picked it up, I smiled. It wasn’t just a piece of wood—it was a memory. In fact, I knew immediately it was the topic of my very first blog post. The piece of wood represented years of ministry, creativity, and one man faithfully serving behind the scenes.
More than 30 years ago, I married my biggest supporter. Throughout our marriage, Shawn has encouraged every “big” idea I’ve ever had. While many people have seen the finished product, they’ve rarely seen the countless hours he invested in making those ideas possible.
He’s built props for children’s plays – including an elevator that worked, a gem mining trough, and a runway stage for a birthday party. He’s cut out Vacation Bible School decorations, spent long evenings decorating church spaces, served as a DJ, managed sound, and worked with our young people more times than I can count.
He’s never looked for recognition. He simply saw a need and quietly got to work.
That little black board reminded me of one particular Christmas production: Dr. Newheart’s Christmas Cure by Kathie Hill Music.
We had a wonderful group of young children who eagerly stepped up to perform. Like many children’s productions, memorizing all the lines proved to be a challenge. So, we came up with a solution. We typed out the script and projected the words onto the back wall of the sanctuary.
That simple piece of wood stretched across the back pews to hold the projector in just the right position.
Of course, Shawn figured out how to make it all work. The children were able to succeed because someone behind the scenes made sure they had what they needed. That’s who Shawn has always been.
Even this ministry wouldn’t exist without him. When I felt God leading me to begin this journey, Shawn was the one who purchased the domain name, worked through all the technical details, updated the website layout, and even designed my logo. Every step of the way, he has made sure I can accomplish my calling.
As I look at this ordinary piece of wood, I’m reminded that some of the greatest blessings in life aren’t the things everyone notices. They’re the faithful people God places beside us.
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