I like fixing things. Ours is a world where far too many useful items end up in the landfill simply because some part broke and tossing seemed easier than repairing. That’s how we sometimes handle people and relationships, too. For some reason we think it advantageous to move on rather than fix. We sacrifice big blessings with that approach, though. I am delighted to report that our God is all about fixing rather than dumping, and we’ll learn more on that topic in a moment.

Early days as a fixit man

My career as a fixit man began when Grandma’s windup alarm clock ceased operation. As a precocious pre-teen I assured her I might be able to help. For the next hour I explored the inner workings of that ancient device, all those tiny gears and levers, and discovered the power source. I know now but did not know then that spring steel is, in most applications, installed with much tension. Grandma’s clock appeared to be over-wound, and I thought I might be able to loosen the spring a bit to coax another month of life from the device. I inserted my screwdriver under the spring and pried upwards. The resulting explosion of rapidly unwinding metal startled me, left a cut on my knuckle, and convinced me that I had much to learn. That clock would never work again, but Grandma knew that when she asked me to take a look at it.

Since that day I’ve tackled buckets of projects with successes, failures, and moments of outrageous celebration over inspired innovative solutions. The feeling of “I’ve got it!” is a powerful emotion, and the repair/reuse initiative is budget friendly for those of us striving to stretch the paycheck to match the month.

Some fixit guys only know duct tape, nails and perhaps epoxy or another strong glue, but the craftsmen among us know that those repair options are not always appropriate. Depending on our clientele we may need to think creatively and derive classier solutions.

My clients

I receive repair requests from demanding customers who expect a 100 percent success rate. And what grandpa wants to disappoint his grandkids? Not this one. Mostly I deliver, but recently August dropped off a toy that could not be saved. The materials inside offered no foundation for a fix. He took it in stride and continues to send business my way.

In recent weeks I’ve repaired a Radio Flyer Wagon, a souvenir pop gun, and a child-sized shovel from Fern’s tool collection. And not to be outdone, Grama required a fix for her ottoman.

Fern marveled over the repair I made to the broken wagon and sent this message back to me via Grama-gram, “Thank you, Grandpa. I love you so much for fixing that! Sometime can you teach me to be an artist at fixing things like you?”

An artist at fixing things! Could a handyman receive any higher praise? Wow! With renewed passion for the task ahead I intend to press on and live up to her evaluation. And I will treasure those moments when she joins me in the shop to master her own set of fixit skills.

God is the Master Fixer

I stated at the beginning that God is all about fixing rather than dumping. Hands down He is the best Artist at fixing things. No one comes close to His level of wisdom, skill, and craftsmanship. Consider with me some of the ways we as humans need repairing…

Stressed out? Overwhelmed? God says:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30 NASB

Need life guidance from a knowledgeable Source? God offers:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

Worried about the future? Afraid that God’s plan is unraveling in the face of the exploding evil around us? God reminds:

The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand,

Isaiah 14:24 NASB

O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Isaiah 25:1 NASB

Waffling on the certainty of God’s promises? God reminds:

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? 

Numbers 23:19 NASB

Thinking that God’s acceptance is performance based? God clarifies:

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:5-7 NASB

And those are just a few examples of His fixit repertoire. He has more skill and options than we can catalog. Let’s close with these verses:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB

God is The Artist of Fixing Things. Indeed.