The big storage cabinet in my classroom houses a large, black trash bag that contains a mass of tangled wire.  This bothered me for a long time.  The colored wire was a gift from a well-meaning art teacher. I had gone to her asking for suggestions on the type of wire to purchase for wire sculptures. Before I knew what was happening, this black bag was in my hands. She smiled in satisfaction and I thanked her for her donation. As I walked away, though, I wondered how in the world I was going to untangle this horrible mass of wire. The students were going to have a terrible time trying to pull the wire apart if I didn't find a quick way to untangle it. If I let the students try to untangle it, there would be so much wasted class time! So I hefted this bag on a table, inspected the contents again and tried to untangle just a few wires, but it was hopeless. I just couldn't return the bag after the art teacher's generosity. When the time came for creating the wire sculptures, I pulled out that bag, opened it up and revealed this mess of wire to my students. I expected them to look at me in horror but can you believe it? They were thrilled! They looked at me with such pleasure and excitement that I just stared and marveled at the moment. Hands dove into the bag and they yanked apart pieces of wire, grabbed scissors and started cutting away. They thanked me many times over. What I had thought to be a miserable, tangled mess was actually a blessing in disguise for the delight it brought my students that day, and for many days afterwards. They had faith, child-like faith that something beautiful could be created from that wire. And guess what? Those sculptures were beautiful, intricate pieces of art.
Do you see the analogy of our woeful lives and that tangled mess of wire? Do you have the faith of a child? Do you believe that your life can be untangled, and that from it something beautiful can be created? If you are a Christian, you should be nodding your head. But be on guard that your child-like faith isn't lost in the busyness of your everyday life. Check daily that you aren't collecting a mess and believing it will always remain so; that it can't be untangled. Stay close to the Savior in these days of trials. Give Him that bag of messes. Let Him sculpt you into a masterpiece. Keep your child-like faith.
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