But it’s my old tractor

There is a little old building sitting in the main square in the small town of Anywhere USA. It’s not the most exciting building you would ever see. In fact, it’s kind of plain and typical. Sidewalks are broken with grass and weeds growing between the cracks. There is a thick layer of dust inside on the window sills with no disturbance other than a cob web or two blowing with the draft. No important person has ever walked these halls. No special event happened inside its doors that would make national news. Why should anyone care about its condition? Even if the community raised the needed funds and started to make plans to restore the plain building why should anyone take the time to help? Why invest your time to do something that will never get seen by the masses or win any special recognition?
Let me answer the question by telling another story. I took my four daughters, two of their friends, and my lovely wife, to a tractor show early this fall. I had so much fun. We saw old and new, some rusted from head to stern and those that are painted and restored to perfection. It is amazing how many different tractor companies there were in the early part of the last century.
But, in my garage under a canvas tarp sits a tractor that may never turn any heads, or win any tractor show awards. But, it’s my old tractor. It belonged to my grandfather and he taught me to drive on that rusty metal seat. He purchased it used in 1950 after his return from WWII to start farming in central Texas. There is a lot of history riding on those four tires that only matter to me. He gave it to me as a gift to restore knowing I would take good care of this family treasure. And I will.
This is how I think we should approach these buildings that sit empty needing help to lift them up from their past. It means much to that community to bring this building back to its former glory. Just like my tractor I want only those who care for it like I would, working on it. This is how we should approach the invitation to work on these old buildings wherever we are asked. To love that building as that community loves it. So, we must accept the entrusted challenge to approach it as a work of love……..