Well, it’s started.  My dream of building my own log house, it’s now a reality.  The first step anyways.  The first of many logs has been cut, scraped free of bark, and now marked for it’s place in the wall.  But there’s a problem.  It doesn’t fit in.

I’ve read the how to book over and over.  I marked where the chainsaw and I are going to “dance” on this log.  It’s a big log.  It’s hard to maneuver.  But one thing I’m quickly learning about cutting and crafting big logs into a log home I will call my own.  It takes time.  It takes patience.  AND,   it takes small moves a little at the time that gradually turn into a big change.

First I had to move this log about 40 yards.  How do you move 1800 pounds of wood when I can only pick up oh, about 75 lbs myself?  You use lifts with wheels, also roll bars, also cant hooks.  See, I’ve got equipment to help me roll, slide, and move these heavy logs.  But honestly what I’ve come to grips with is this.  To move this massive log several yards means that I move it several inches at a time.  Over and over, until it is where it’s supposed to be.

Then the DANCE!  Funny how a chainsaw has become my constant companion.  Over the years, I’ve had more difficult and aggravating times with a chainsaw while growing up on the farm.  Mainly cause they wouldn’t crank. They’d make me madder than a wet hen. I threw one into a lake one time.  Sold one to a friend for 5 dollars one time.  It wouldn’t crank so it was worthless to me.  Naturally he could crank it.

But the chainsaw I have now is my constant companion.  I keep it fine tuned, sharp, and ready to run.  It’ll crank in three pulls or less.  I dance with this saw as I cut and carve each log to fit.  Lots of cuts at certain angles.  Carving on each log that will in turn cause it to fit with the next log……..which cause it to fit and turn into a log house.  Again I’m seeing a trend here.  It takes small moves a little at the time that gradually turn into a big change.

What’s crazy is that I’m using logs that look straight, but are actually  crooked, bent, having all kinds of curves and crevices.  But when the chainsaw and I get finished with the “dance” on them, they fit each other tight.  Tight as skinny jeans on that worship leader guy.

I’m using what’s called a scriber.  Without boring you with details, basically it’s a contraption that you must keep level at all times.  It has two pens on it that mark where the two logs will touch.  You take your chainsaw and cut at the pen mark.  Funny thing is, you flip the log upside down to cut it.  You don’t know if it’s going to fit until you flip it back over.  Then voila!!! if all markings were done correctly, the dance was done with precision and all cuts made precisely……..you got a log that fits!!!!  Tighter than a pair of jeans on ……. well you get the idea!

But now let’s talk about you.  You feel that you don’t fit in, huh.  What, with other people?  Those friends, or that special someone?   Or is it you don’t fit in with this spiritual walk you are on?  These logs are a good visual example of what it takes to fit in.  When you want to fit in with other people you realize that we all are different with our own crooks and crevices.  Our own personalities and ways.  Our strengths and our weaknesses.  Just like the logs, its difficult to really fit in when you try to be like the other log instead of being yourself.

I don’t need to be like the other log.  I need to let God “dance” on and with me.  Let Him carve me into what He has in store for me.  What he has planned for me.  By letting God work/carve/dance with me, this will in turn help me to fit in with my own spiritual journey.  And get this…… His will in my life will allow me to fit in with friends and even that special someone.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity Jeremiah 29: 11-14

So, if you want to fit in, then it’s you and God.  Seek His will.  Pray to Him.  Pray with Him.  “Dance” with Him.  Yep, He’ll have to carve on ya’ a little.  But it’s not to hurt you, it’s to cause you to fit in.  In your mind you were picturing two logs fitting together.  In God’s mind it’s a much bigger and better plan.  It’s in His house!!

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, chain saw dancer, fittin’ in with God’s plans