I recently had to get a new shower rod for my shower here. This created a significant problem because they don’t sell them here! Oh, there may be a few places that sold shower curtains in Saint Vincent, but I couldn’t find one.

So I did what almost always happens in this situation…

I had one made.

Technically I hired a man to make one since he has more expertise in making them, and he would need the money. The funny thing is almost every time I come to him asking “can you make a ” His answer is almost always yes

This isn’t because he’s a master craftsman

But because he is used to making things that cannot be purchased.

One thing I do miss sometimes here is a store like Lowe’s or Home Depot where you can walk in, and find almost any part imaginable. The same is true of walking into Wal-Mart or other store, and find almost any item.

I miss them because it’s honestly easier just to drive up the road, pick up the part, and come home so the job can be finished.

however, there are blessings in having to make things instead of purchasing them.

1. Your forced to sit down and think seriously about how to make the item. This stretches your creativity, and problem solving skills
2. Over time you acquire a massive amount of knowledge about how to make certain things. This is how my worker can always say yes when I ask him if he can make something
3. creating things becomes a respectable part of your identity. I have a friend who is almost always referred to as “Make it”, and another who is sometimes referred to a “fix it”
4. And there is a pride in being able to make something with your own hands instead of purchasing it
   

With everything that is made instead of purchased, confidence in your ability will continue to grow.

To me this is the greatest blessing of making things. Having confidence in your own ability to make something instead of buying it.

In February at a Bible Conference in the States I saw a small pulpit in the shape of a cross. Interested in getting one made, I took a picture, and sent it to a friend who does work for me.

A few months later after getting back to SVG he made one based only on that picture. He wasn’t totally happy with it, but considering its the first time he created anything like this, I think it was a very good job.

Time and time again my friend has created things for me. And each time I am reminded that making things is much better than buying them in the long run.