Sending Up My Timber
My daughter Sharon, who’s studying for the ministry at Yale Divinity School (one proud father I am!), told me this week about a great sermon she’d heard by an old Baptist preacher.
“He spoke about the quiet people,” Sharon wrote. “The folks who sit at church and don’t make a big fuss over themselves, the folks who aren’t trying to get recognition for how good or Christian they are. These are the people, the preacher said, that you know you can count on to pray for you. These are people, he said, who have a magnetic power to them because they have allowed the indwelling of the Spirit to catch fire and grow in them. And they haven’t just taken that Spirit and hidden it inside themselves, they have let that light shine on others. These people, he said, let the Spirit of God grow and grow inside themselves until it’s just too beautiful, too amazing to behold, and then they drop their robe of flesh, and go home to heaven.”
“The preacher said his grandmother was one of these people. And her favorite hymn was an old gospel song called ‘Sending Up My Timber.’ It goes like this.
There’s a dream that I dreamed
Of my Heavenly home,
And I know that I’m going there one day.
It maybe morning, night or noon,
I don’t know just how soon,
That’s why I’m sending up my timber every day.
“The preacher said that he would always watch his grandmother do small but wonderful things, like feeding chicken and dumplings to the town drunk, or comforting the 16-year old pregnant girl when the rest of the church had turned their backs on her. And he asked her why she did that, and she said, ‘Baby, I’m just sending up timber.’”
* * *
Our lives—here and hereafter—are built one timber at a time. You think you’re just getting through the day, ticking off the mundane tasks, showing up, punching the clock—the important, soul-building work is surely happening later. Then you get to the end and find out that the house is already built, and you can hardly believe the scene. That little, obscure act of charity is a central beam supporting the whole roof, and that thoughtless act of selfishness is a warped and broken stripling sagging beneath the weight of the floor. One simple prayer in the middle of a dark night became this massive lintel over the front door, and one act of mercy in an airport has become the sunlit sill of a great bay window.
Do today what Wordsworth called those “little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” You and I are just sending up our timber.
P.S. If you’d like to hear a rousing Gospel rendition of “Sending Up My Timber” click here.
This is a good word to people who struggle with their purpose, thinking they haven’t done anything big. Sometimes (maybe most of the time) our “purpose” comes in one small act of love at a time.
I think that’s pretty much all of us–the people who think we “haven’t done anything big.” Thanks for that good word.
Maybe not a timber, but a splinter at a time! That is how I sometimes think of this!
So glad that Sharon is studying for the Ministry! Ginny
Yeah, if I’m lucky most of the time, I’m sending up my splinters. Amen.
HAHAHA!! I love that. And yes…we all do. Thank God for a Savior who sees beyond the splinters to the soul, its worth, and the sacrifice of His precious son, Jesus.
David,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this evening, but I particularly like this post. I have Galatians 6:9 taped to my bathroom mirror and it reminds me everyday that my mansion in God’s kingdom is far greater than a pat on the back here on earth.
Blessings.
Praise God!
I used to listen to this song every Sunday Morning when I was a little girl. My Dad always played this while we were getting ready for church. Never really understood the words but I really liked the way the men sung. Years later I came to know Jesus in a real personal way. I remember thinking about some really old songs that I used to listen to when I was younger & this was one of them. So I looked up the lyrics & then the meaning. Wow thank you for posting this blog!
Sending up timber for my Mansion in Heaven ! Thank you Jesus!
Good works because we’re Saved not to get Saved! ( Ephesians 2:8-10 )
I never understood what this song meant. I had some idea but never took the time to find out what it meant, I love the tune and the words. It came to me one night when I was reading the bible. It have been a long time since I heard it, so I went to YouTube and this site came up as well! Not given myself the glory but all my life I have given in so many ways! I dont have much but I did what I could and even today ! As I got older and Christ in my life, it cross my mind, why do I do these things! I have gone riding around seeking someone that may need help, maybe a ride or help an elderly person with their grocery in the car! Speaking of your grandmother made me think, maybe I was sending up my timber too! Didn’t know your grandmother but I can just think of her saying she’s sending up her timber! Praise the Lord
David
I pray, you are still reading your blog from 2012, this Song here has been in my spirit especially as of late . It’s a deepening so real song you can feel it before you get to it. Sending Up My Timber everyday. I always looked at this song as prayer Warriors, lately but I remember this song and just to think s out it folls my spirit. I know what it means I’ve carried it even in my childhood, thank God for parents and grandparents and also for teachable children. The memories hearing this song in just awesome. Thank you for the beautiful story and thanks to our daughter as well.
Thanks for this!
Hi David!
What an awesome posting. My near 29 year old son and I had this discussion early this morning after I had listened to approximately 8 renditions of my favorite song from childhood, and still one of my favorite songs as an adult, “Sending Up My Timber,” he asked, “Mom, what timber are they singing about? I am sure God has enough timber by now, particularly, if everyone singing as many songs as you have played, have sent up their timber, too.”
I laughed at his comments made in jest, then explained, as you have here, that “timber” are the kind, faithful acts, songs, prayers, sermons, selfless aid to those in need-particularly, when we are in need ourselves, and other kind, thoughtful, heartfelt gestures and service we render on earth, that spiritually, are equivalent to timber or wood used in the building of an earthly home – but, instead are used in the construction of our heavenly home or mansion. I have forwarded him this posting.
God bless you and your lovely daughter Sharon for sharing the sermon and interpretation of the song “Sending Up My Timber.” Thank you ever so much for your posting. I share your pride as a proud parent. My eldest daughter Taylor graduated from Harvard Divinity School and is truly just a Godsend and blessing as a child. I have three angels of whom I could not be more proud.
B.D. Wilson, M.D., J.D.