Saturday morning, Steve rented a U-haul and went to pick up a tool chest he had found online.
When he arrived, the seller asked him, “My son didn’t tell me how much he listed this for when he put it on Facebook for me. What was the asking price?”
Steve said, “Nine hundred dollars.”
The guy replied, “It shouldn’t be that much. Make me an offer.”
Steve was just a little taken aback; that was the first time he’d heard those words from a seller. He was a little hesitant about going too low but he thought he’d take a chance and said, “Seven hundred dollars?”
The seller replied, “Naw. That’s still too much. Five hundred will be fine.”
And that’s how Steve got a great price on a gently used tool chest valued at $2,000.
Steve is a major Fix It Guy. He has saved us many thousands of dollars throughout our marriage, especially during the time we have lived here in Charlotte.
The tool chest he’s had for years was of poor quality, too small, and some of the drawers were becoming difficult to open. Steve’s been looking at Facebook Marketplace for over a year, trying to find the tool chest that would serve his needs without having to spend a lot of money on it.
The $900 asking price on this one was a little beyond the budget he had planned but it was exactly what he had in mind and he’d spent a long time looking. So he went for it. And then to have the seller cut the price by $400 was a huge, unexpected blessing.
Here are the old and new chests. Can you see why Steve is smiling? He is going to have an inordinate amount of fun organizing his new acquisition.
And just a quick note about photography: see how much more drama is added to the photo when it’s taken from lower down?
When Steve was showing me how hard it was to open one of the drawers on his old chest, he found these shears inside.
They have been in the Smith family for as long as he can remember. His dad bought them in Scotland in the early 60s where they had been used for sheep shearing.
Steve’s dad and all three sons used to get on their knees and trim the edges of the sidewalk with these shears. Let me just say that Steve appreciates a gas-powered edger more than most people.
I was talking to a guy at work last week who came to America from India. He has such a delightful way of speaking and is very humble and courteous.
I remembered him saying last month that he was looking on Facebook for a wooden dining room table and I asked him if he’d found one. He said that he had run out of time to look so he had just gone ahead and purchased a new one.
Since we were on the subject of Marketplace, I mentioned that Steve had just found a great tool chest there and how thrilled he was to have it since he owns so many tools.
I continued for a bit, describing all the things Steve has fixed or knows how to fix. As I finished up, I noticed that my co-worker’s usually cheery demeanor had changed into a look of sadness, which surprised me.
I was even more surprised when he leaned into my desk, dropped his voice, and said, “I would like to tell you something and keep it between just you and me.”
He said, “I’ve never had anyone in my whole life take the time to teach me how to fix anything or how to work with tools. I can’t repair anything in my house for my wife and I am so ashamed.”
He went on to say, “Do you think your husband might know of anyone who could help, or know of any classes I could take? I so want to learn how to do these things for my family.
I was so touched by the yearning in his voice, and the regret on his face. And then suddenly, I had his solution.
I said, “Well, not only is my husband very skilled at fixing things, but he also loves to teach. How about if he spends some time with you showing you how to use tools?” (As a rule, I would ask Steve before volunteering his time but I knew he would love the opportunity.)
My coworker was stunned. His sadness was replaced with disbelief as he stared at me and asked, “He would do that for me?”
I said, “He sure would!”
The smile that appeared on his face was almost bigger than my desk.
And so, this Saturday, Steve is getting together with a far-from-home stranger to teach him the skills he was never taught. It will take several sessions and many hours but Steve is looking forward to this mentoring opportunity.
The speaker said something to the effect, “Every day you will either need help or you will give help.”
That has stuck in my mind and over these past few days, I’ve seen it played out in real life.
Steve got help from the guy selling the tool chest who gave him such a great deal on something he needed.
And Steve is giving help–spending time with my work friend and getting the chance to make an important difference in his life.
Today will you need help? Or will you give help? It will be one or the other.
What about you?
When was a time you gave help? Or got help? It might have been a big way or a small way.
Have you ever taught one of your skills to someone else? What was it?
We used to have clippers that we had to use to trim the grass by hand when we were kids! Boy, did that bring back memories!!!
LeeAnne,
That’s definitely a hard way to cut grass. I bet your truly appreciate a lawn mower!
Its kindness that makes the world go round.
Pamela,
So very, very true.
How wonderful Steve got such a good deal on such a nice tool chest, and that y’all are impacting the gentleman you work with by Steve teaching him basic fix-it skills!
Sue Ellen,
Two good things in a week! I’ll take it!
Very good situation that arose -out of the blue –
of teaching the man to fix things. I know they will both enjoy it. May the Lord use and bless the time together to bring this man to Jesus.
Ruth
Ruth,
Definitely a good and positive experience for them both. Steve loves to teach!
That toolbox was a GREAT deal! What a blessing and to be able to “pay it forward” so quickly just proves the sovereignty of God.
I heard a similar version to your quote. We either help or hurt. I like yours better. I love when I am in a position to help.
It’s amazing how many younger men and women have no idea how to make basic repairs. My husband’s dad was a preacher and taught my husband how to fix everything. My husband is an electrical engineer and has quite an aptitude for fixing things as well, and he is in turn teaching our son and daughter to do those same things. My daughter shocks me with the jobs she will tackle with abandon. She recently changed all the door knobs and hinges for every door in their home and changed out several light fixtures. Her husband just stood by in astonishment as she tackled these projects. She made a few phone calls to her daddy and got some advice, but in the end was able to accomplish all the tasks. I am sure that gentleman will be blessed by what your sweet husband teaches him.
Lisa,
I love hearing about young women, especially, who dig in and learn how to repair things. Kudos to your husband for teaching both your daughter and your son. She sounds amazing.
I occasionally see things on YouTube where a couple will buy an old house/mansion and restore it from the ground up. I love seeing the wives right there in the middle of it. What a great thing to do as a team.
I’m so happy Steve found such a great deal on the tool box–whoop! I’m sure he’ll have a blast organizing everything in it. He’s an amazing guy with all of his skills and know how. And I’m thrilled he doesn’t have to edge the lawn with those clippers anymore. Whew. That must have been an awful job back in the day.
I love how your conversation with a co-worker turned into a chance to help him out. You and Steve are both so good at teaching and encouraging others! Way to go, Smiths! 👍❤️
Love, Deb
Deb, do you recall that radio interview we did way back when we traveled in the gospel band called Heartsong? Interviewer to Debbie: “What does Steve do?” Debbie: “He fixes the truck.” And so I did. 🤠
Yes, I sure do! I actually thought my infamous statement as I was writing the post. Aren’t you lucky to have me around to say such inspiring things! 😁
Deb, I’m far beyond lucky, kid sister; I’m blessed to have you in the family.
Steve and Debbie,
I’ll just give you two your own little corner of the comments area. 🙂
It’s always nice when the buyer and the seller both come out feeling like they got a good deal. I like the thought that you will give and/or receive help every day. That is certainly true in a marriage too! I was 17 years old and had just gotten my drivers license. My car battery died at a youth group event, and my youth pastor helped me jump-start the car. A few months later, my mom and I were leaving a busy parking lot when I saw a group of young men standing between 2 cars holding jumper cables and looking confused. I told my mom we had to stop and help them jump-start their car because they looked like they had no idea what they were doing. They sure got a kick out of a 17 year old girl teaching them how to jump-start a car.
Robin,
Good for your 17-year old self! I bet when you finished helping out, you felt like a million bucks. Especially since you got to impress a couple of young “bucks.” 🙂 They’re probably still telling that story to their kids/grandkids. 🙂
Sounds like a great deal to save so much on the tool chest. A bargain is always fun to get.
I have received help from strangers before, but I hesitate to give help as often. I spent 50 years in a big city that wasn’t always safe and there were too many scammers who really didn’t need the help. I need to rely more on prayer and render help when needed.
I have taught some quilting skills to a few ladies thru my church. One wanted to learn so she spearheaded a group to get together. Now we help each other.
I think it is great that Steve is helping your co worker. I grew up with a mechanic father who I liked to watch him work on things. I think I absorbed some things that way. There was a young man working with a bunch of women teachers and the toilet was overflowing. One of the women told him to turn the toilet off. He stood there blankly and we found out he had no idea there was a valve on the toilet. No one had ever shown him, so he got an unusual education that day and was so excited.
Patti,
Yes, I can certainly see your point about living in a big city where helping wasn’t always safe. But you nailed it when you said to reply on prayer/discernment and help when you can.
Glad the young man working with you all was so excited about learning the important Toilet Valve Lesson. 🙂 Some guys might have been too macho to learn from a group of women but he deserves kudos for learning no matter who was teaching!