Some of the joints are loose, almost worn out. It belonged to my father who was a carpenter. I saw him use it so many times on so many projects. I think of him each time I see it and wonder if I will ever measure up to the man he was, if I will ever make as good a use of the tools God has given me as he did. As a pastor, I have seen so many families torn apart after the death of a parent because of arguments over the inheritance.
Someone thinks they deserve something but someone else gets it.
Old sibling rivalries come back to the surface. To sacrifice a brother or sister for a clump of wood or glass or even money does not make a lot of sense. Yes, Dad's ruler is special to me, but if my brother or sister wanted it, I would gladly give it to them. For the greatest inheritance I have received will never be things but his love, his example, his gentle spirit, his wisdom, his faith - all these and more live within me. He passed along a lot of who he was to me.