A Beautiful Patina

I consistently use a computer mouse.
I can move the cursor from my laptop but I prefer to use the mouse.
Perhaps it is being left handed.
All I know is that the mouse just feels more comfortable to me.

I remember when we got our first computer.
The monitor was the size of a small TV.
Everything was cumbersome with wires going everywhere.
The mouse and the mouse pad were on the right side of the keyboard.

I remember watching my husband set everything up.
It was a dial up connection to the internet back then.
He was showing our oldest daughter the setup.
However, going to the computer lab was part of her curriculum in school.

My husband and I had to be very intentional to stay on top of technology.
I watched as the two of them talked computers.
I was so anxious to try it.
I stood back and tried to learn how to do everything just from watching them.

Mom, come over here and try it, my daughter said enthusiastically.
I walked over and sat down in the chair.
I put my hand on the mouse, which was on the right side of the computer.
The cursor darted across the screen.

I tried again.
The cursor darted everywhere but where I wanted it to go.
I knew my husband and daughter were looking at each other over my shoulder.
I could feel myself getting red and frustrated.

How do I make the cursor go where I want it to go? I asked her.
You just move it, Mom, and you click on what you want to see, my daughter told me.
I tried it again and the cursor darted every which way.
I can’t seem to do this, I said feeling my throat getting tighter.

Then, it dawned on my daughter.
Mom, you can move the mouse to the left side of the keyboard.
With all of the wires connecting everything, I never thought the mouse could be moved.
My daughter moved the mouse and the mouse pad to the left side of the keyboard.

I put my hand on the mouse and moved the cursor expertly.
The cursor moved where I wanted it to go.
There was no darting across the screen.
Success!

It sounds so naive to think that I did not know the mouse could be moved.
It was all so new to me.
My generation had a definite technology learning curve.
Our children grew up with technology and embraced its changes with ease.

Every time I type on my computer, I think of that first time.
Computers are so streamlined now.
Their capabilities are incredible.
The speed with which we can find information is astounding.

I still use a mouse and a mouse pad.
I looked at the mouse pad I had for quite a while and knew I needed to replace it.
I didn’t want to get any kind of mouse pad.
I wanted a leather one.

It was at the creativity conference I attended in the Fall that I found the one I wanted.
The Rowley family started their own leather company.
Their products are top notch and everyone in the family helps in some way.
Beautiful handbags, satchels, wallets, and journals were displayed on the table.

I saw the leather mouse pad right away.
It had the logo of the Rabbit Room, who sponsors the conference.
The logo is a rabbit smoking a pipe, much like J.R.R. Tolkien.
I loved the mouse pad and bought it right away.

I have used the mouse pad every day for the past four months.
The color of the mouse pad is changing.
The leather has darkened from the oils on my skin.
There are scratches and markings all over it.

The mouse pad has a beautiful patina.
It is the patina of use.
It is evidence that this mouse pad is well loved.
If the mouse pad looked new, it would mean I was not using it each day.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:18)

As we walk with the Lord Jesus we become more like Him.
As we read God’s Word and think about His glory, we are being transformed.
We have a patina that deepens over time.
We have the patina of Christ.

We may have dents and bruises from everyday life.
However, in Christ, we are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Our patina becomes more beautiful the longer we walk with Him.
It is deeper, richer, and more lovely over time.

I love the patina of my leather mouse pad.
I even love the scratches.
The color now is so unlike the color it was when I first purchased it.
Using it every day made all the difference.

May my patina in Christ be as lovely.

 

2 responses to “A Beautiful Patina”

1. This reminds me of a Victor Hugo quote: When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is and unspeakable dawn in happy old age
   Isn’t that a lovely way to think of growing older?

   Reply

   • Oh, Paula, this quote is lovely!
     There is much to be said for the wisdom gained as we age.
     There is beauty in aging in grace.
     Gina

     Reply