Michael’s Bed
Need for a Bed
Quickly following Michael’s coming to live with me in Ontario and our relocation to Creekside, we realized we’d need a proper bed for Michael in his bedroom. Being encumbered by significant financial strain, I knew we’d not be able to afford a brand-new retail made bed & mattress for him. Following a night of deliberation, I reflected on the opportunity and wisdom of using Michael’s available time to expose him to a valuable learning lesson. (I’d recently obtained work in an Orange County company preparing for the Y2K anticipated disruption. I along with a few others examined every line of the company’s Cobol software to assure any references to dates exceeding January 1, 2000 would be addressed and updated. Hence, I’d be unavailable to care for Michael directly while at work each weekday.)
Opportunity
The following morning, I approached Michael with a challenge (wrapped in an opportunity unbeknownst to him). Approaching him prior to leaving for work; I suggested to him (given our financial challenges) that he build his own bed. Recognizing the empty bedroom and his need for an adequate bed, I advocated that he exercise his own capabilities in ‘bringing to pass’ a bed that would satisfy his own growing needs and additionally provide a means whereby one of his brothers might also be blessed with such a facility. Planting such a seed in his mind to ponder and contemplate such an undertaking, I left for work while this young teen pondered and mulled over such a project. I knew that he’d been treated somewhat as an un-achieving youth and believed he would benefit by applying himself to a project that was certainly fruitful; but (more importantly) beneficial to his own self-image (which I could only provide a shallow representation thereof. He’d have to engage a challenge that stretched himself and would improve his self-worth as he completed and utilized his success thereafter. His own self-worth far outweighed any financial benefit we might receive!) I, of course, would not be permitted to reveal the deeper purposes of this project; lest he foolishly think I was manipulating him. [He’d already experienced more than enough of such.]
Commencement
Upon arriving home later that day, I conversed with Michael regarding his thoughts and intents. He revealed that his ponderance had arrived at a conclusion that a project to build his own bed would be a good use of his time as he experienced significant freedom of schedule during his summer vacation prior to his high school resumption just a ‘coupla’ months hence. As we immediately commenced our efforts, I explained to him that I desired he benefit from my tutelage inasmuch as he’d watched me build the bunkbeds that he and his brothers had been sleeping on for several years. He agreed that such mentorship could be helpful and agreed. I then explained that I wanted him to experience his own personal abilities as he personally applied his own capacities to the endeavor. For the next several days I left him to himself to design and develop his own representation of what his bed would be. I explained as he did that he was in the first stages of ‘bringing to pass’ something that had never existed before – his bed. I explained that as he ruminated over the design of his bed; he was bringing into existence (even if only in his mind’s eye) the bed he would eventually bring into physical existence. I further clarified that he was experiencing (for himself) the creative process. He seemed somewhat intrigued by the concepts as we progressed over the next several days.
Development
Once he seemed to be able to clarify his thoughts to me; I advised him that he ‘squeeze his thoughts down his arm and out the pencil’ onto paper. He recognized that I suggested he engage the next step of the creative process and develop semi-physical representations of his bed on paper. By so doing, he’d further ‘bringing his bed to pass’. Representation of his bed would be well beyond simply pondering his bed’s existence in his mind. He then commenced exploring the development of pictorial plans and representations of the materials, fasteners, and finishes that he might use in the continued process of bringing into reality – his bed. He spent several days representing his thoughts in pictures, plans, designs and schedules to prepare his next step in the creative process. With my assistance, Michael delved into the details that seemed to make his plans even more believable. He was now enthusiastically anticipating the commencement of the next phase of ‘bringing to pass’ the achievement of his bed. I was privileged to be nearby and watch as my son employed his wherewithal to advance along the creative path with increasing eagerness and faith that he could actually accomplish that which had only been a hope a mere few weeks earlier! I watched with pride and anticipation as Michael prepared his final paperwork prior to our actual commitment to embark on his construction phase of the project – his pricelist.
Commitment
Upon our combined review of his material list for accuracy and completeness; we drove together to the home center to acquire his materials and necessities to commence the construction phase of his endeavor. I took the opportunity inasmuch as it was a very apropos opportunity to review (for his benefit) the stages and energies that’d been necessary for him to arrive at the stage we were now in.
Explanation
- He’d had to have exercised his hope in order to even expend his mental energy to even believe that his efforts would be well spent in pondering such an endeavor. Oh sure, he’d received the benefit of his father’s admonition; but without his own belief, hope and effort the project would’ve fallen by the wayside as a useless mental exercise!

- He’d had to have exercised his mental acuity (beyond hope) to apply his thoughtful energy to ponder the bed in his mind. By so doing, he’d brought the bed from the ethereal atmosphere of non-existence to the mental existence within the mind and soul of his own being. Though the bed was not yet tangible, it had become ‘real’ within the recesses of his mind and soul – where it had not (as yet) resided heretofore.

- As I gently tutored Michael to transfer his thoughts from that which no one could observe to paper which all could then enjoy; I endeavored to instruct him on the process that he was actually involved in. As he scribbled and re-scribbled his thoughts, I instructed him on the actual occurrence that he was exercising. Placing my fingers aside his temple, I explained that his mental pictures of his bed did not as yet have existence beyond his own being. Tracing my fingers from his temple to his neck and shoulder I explained that as he struggled to place such thought on paper; he was ‘squeezing’ such impressions along his arm, through his fingers and out the lead of the pencil he was using to scribble. Explaining that he’d already used such a process during his school efforts; I tried to impress him regarding the magnificence of the process he’d allow himself to take for granted. He’d become so used to such an exercise that he’d bypassed the brilliance of such an achievement. As I closely watched, I glimmered a flash of understanding as Michael gradually comprehended his accomplishment. With that I excused myself from him at his desk in his room – to hopefully ponder and comprehend still deeper – and reflect on his own self-value over such a seemingly simple effort. (He’d been building a bed – I’d been building a son!)

- As we reviewed his designs, pictures and plans we observed that his achievements to that stage were good! (See Genesis 1:4 - And God saw the light, that it wasgood) Such observation spurred Michael on to prepared plans, schedules, and material lists in order that he might activate his designs beyond hope and faithful thought. He (along with my help) prepared to exercise his faith in himself forward toward the commitment of purchase. Standing there together in the home center with materials and fasteners; we both gulped realizing that commitment stared at us from the cashier’s gaze. The time had come to put our money where our mouths were. He’d commit to spend such a large (irretrievable) sum toward his plans and designs. I’d commit to apply such confidence in a son who’d (to my knowledge) never embarked on such a project.

As we turned over our scrutinized funding for Michael’s bed, we both realized there would be no turning back thereafter. We’d committed ourselves. He to his project and me to him! We were both learning!
As we commenced the more tangible phase of Michael’s project, we loaded all of his materials into our garage and devoted its space to Michael’s endeavor for the foreseeable weeks. Michael approached the realization of his plans tentatively. He was no doubt nervous about making a mistake with the application of materials to his intended bed. Following a few starts and an acknowledgement that he might make a mistake (or two) along the way, he moved forward with clear purpose. The formation of his bed took place more each day as I arrived home from work and he showed me the progress he’d made that day. Each day displayed a bed that was exhibiting form and function. Watching the bed that had only previously existed on paper was genuinely transformational for the bed itself was developing rapidly. In addition to the fabrication of the bed, Michael himself, displayed his creation with a greater confidence and pride in his remarkable achievement. By letting him wrestle with the development of his bed, he was discovering even more about himself as he engaged the creative process personally, perceptively, quietly and transformatively within the rough walls of an otherwise empty garage!
- As his bed rapidly took form and displayed functionality and strength, Michael stood a little taller and a bit more confident as he wrestled in an empty garage loaded with lumber and fasteners. The most tangible part of the creative process was ‘being brought to pass’ before his very eyes and I was confident that he was comprehending the process even more as his bed took tangible shape each day.

As his bed frame finalized and he took pride in its accomplishment; we both recognized a bed frame now stood where a mere stack of lumber had previously been. We also realized we’d need to locate mattresses that would fit the lower double and upper single that he’d designed. Such would complete the bed and prepare it for relocation within his bedroom and finalize its ‘being brought to pass’ as he occupied it each night.
While Michael had experienced the steps of creation that he’d now exercised himself; I experienced the anxieties, anticipations and hopes that he would not abandon his endeavor. For I knew that I’d fail at attempting to ‘force’ him to engage such. His will would absolutely (without mine) be necessary if we were to eventually stand pridefully acknowledging his creation.

The Divine Creative Process
- God will always ‘bring to pass’ that which He determines. He certainly trusts himself to perform righteousness! Prior to any creation, the existence of anything God creates exists within Himself.
Abraham 3:17
Now, if there be two things, one above the other, and the moon be above the earth, then it may be that a planet or a star may exist above it; and there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it.
- God will patiently watch over things He commands until He’s obeyed.
Abraham 4:18
And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed.
- God creates things non tangibly initially. Spiritual creation precedes mortal creation!
Abraham 5: 4-5
4 And the Gods came down and formed these the generations of the heavens and of the earth, when they were formed in the day that the Gods formed the earth and the heavens,
5 According to all that which they had said concerning every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew; for the Gods had not caused it to rain upon the earth when they counseled to do them, and had not formed a man to till the ground.
Moses 3:5
And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air;
- God creates things tangibly finally!
Abraham 5: 6-9
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
7 And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his spirit (that is, the man’s spirit), and put it into him; and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
8 And the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden, and there they put the man, whose spirit they had put into the body which they had formed.
9 And out of the ground made the Gods to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; the tree of life, also, in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Michael’s adaptation of the Creative Process
- At its proposal, Michael’s hope had permitted his acceptance to venture mental energy to consider such an undertaking.
- His ponderance of the undertaking allowed the possibility to advance the proposal beyond mere hope to a more serious consideration of the project’s acceptance.
- His mental exertion and formulation of his mental pictures took the next step toward ‘bringing’ ethereal images from ‘spiritually’ born existence into tangible, sharable, presentable existence.
- Confirmation of his designs brought for a realization that his heretofore efforts had resulted in a ‘good’ creation. Standing together at the cashier’s station we both quickly comprehended that his creation had arrived at the commitment stage and we tentatively handed over the purchase price for the necessary materials need to bring his ‘creation’ into tangible, physical existence beyond mere scribblings on paper!
- Finally, Michael’s efforts in forming a bed from lumber, fasteners and plans brought the bed into full, temporal existence and utilization. He’d fully enjoy his creation and more importantly he’d reference (though privately, even imperceptibly) his experience at bringing a bed from mere suggestion into conceptual existence beyond conception to intent requiring faith and action to its final form – a bed that would provide him comfort and sleep.
To reiterate, Michael had been exposed to, learned and finished the creative process in ‘bringing to pass’ a bed. I’d been permitted to mentor a beloved son through the anxieties and apprehensions attendant to the process and guide this eternal being amidst such an inspiring endeavor.
It’s hard to know who learned more!
Create Your Own Website With Webador