If a man is lazy, the rafters sag;
If his hands are idle, the house leaks.*
Some years ago I had occasion to return to a neighborhood of a childhood friend. The houses were a generation older now and a bit run down. The grounds were unkempt and there was all manner of clutter. I figured it was just the way it goes . . . it’s just the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
You’ll remember the first law, the one that states that nothing new is being created. (I don’t hear that one quoted so much these days and the word “created” is a political no-no in certain circles.)
But the second law, who could refute? The one that says all matter deteriorates, all energy runs down; things rust, die, go back to dust.
It’s an easily observable fact of life.
But as I continued on down the street I came across one house that stood out for its cleanness. It had good paint, a manicured yard, no clutter. It was the epitome of neatness, and all the more distinctive for the setting it was in.
What it spoke of was the people who lived inside.
I never saw them, or anybody else that day. But the difference between these neighbors was obvious. All the houses were old, all were built at the same time. For most, the second law was taking over, but the one that stood out as exception proved it didn’t have to be that way.
What was the difference? A decision to do something. A low tolerance for clutter. Somebody’s better self-esteem. In the end, it was energy . . . human energy . . . confronting the downward cycle and taking time for and expenditure on maintenance and renewal.
Three cheers for the maintenance man, the one who keeps things working, moving, looking good.
I’ve not just been in neighborhoods, but whole countries, where the maintenance man is not esteemed. Or he isn’t there. Or he’s sleeping late. Or waiting for someone else. Like the government. Or whatever.
In truth, what with the overwhelming forces of that 2nd thermodynamic law, it’s heartening that we have any influence on it at all. But we do.
That is, if we can overcome that same law within ourselves.
_____________
*Ecclesiastes 10:18
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:51 am
It’s been said there’s no “neutral” in life. If you sit still, you’re in reality sliding … backwards. To move toward life, on any given level, requires a proactive stance. Such is the case with the tricked-out house on the street. I think it’s why I enjoy restoring old cars. If it weren’t for my input, they’d all likely be in the boneyard. So much like how God is with me. Grateful today for the One who rescues, and sustains and, well, maintains.
11:07 am
Dear Hyatt….I so treasure your writings…..You must, you must publish them so I can refer more frequently and conveniently…..There….thanks.
11:10 am
Another interesting and somewhat unrelated point about things “running down” is that the universe is actually speeding up. A scientist recently won the nobel prize for this discovery. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/us-nobel-physics-idUSTRE7931ET20111004
Points to a Creator in my opinion.
Thanks,
Pastor Adam Barton
Akron, Ohio
2:08 pm
I like this Hyatt! I love to make things work that are not working, restore, renew, create and help to make things really sing. So, I am not very good at feeling ok when things are allowed to run down by others who do seem lazy. I just have to yield these people up to a sovereign God. So, I do completely agree with your whole blog and the ideology behind it! Thank you! Blessings! Lisa
9:28 pm
Lisa, Of course this is why your are an acclaimed interior designer! Congratulations on your recent San Diego and San Francisco successes.
10:12 pm
thank you Hyatt! what a lovely thing to say! you are so sweet!!! blessings! Lisa
8:39 pm
Hyatt–I so enjoy your blog; I love your thought-provoking content and your pithy writing style. It’s the only blog I follow faithfully, and it both inspires and intimidates me to venture into the blogosphere as a writer myself.
In the meantime, I would like to offer my expertise in anatomical nomenclature and point out that the man in the hammock is supine, not prone. I’ve noticed that you are not prone;) to errors in your writing, so I thought you might be open to a little feedback in case you wanted your text to mirror the drawing.
9:18 pm
Kim, I’m heartened by your compliment, and informed by your correction. I looked for “prone” usage and not finding it remembered it was in the e-mail intro, thus: “Born for action and to walk upright, it’s so easy to succumb to the prone….” “Succumb to the supine” would have been better, even with the added aliteration (but of course I would have had to look it up). Thanks.
10:02 pm
Good last line.