While working on some bows in my shop this last week, trying to follow the grain while I scraped and sanded, I found myself lost in the wood patterns.   I began feeling rather proud of the product of my labor.  Then it hit me that I only removed what wasn't the grip and the window.  The beauty of the wood, the grains that made each one identifiable, and unique from each other, that was made by the creator, God.  They are all as unique as a thumb print,  few can be mistaken for another species.  From the most plain, straight grained hickory, to cocobolo, it's all beautiful, and it's not me or any other man, that made it, or even could make it.

amen to that

Beautifully said

Yep.

That wood is lucky to end up in your hands, Mike...you are the very definition of humility

DDave

right on the money mike,
funny how when we really take a good look at our world it just screams the glory of our Creator,and even funnier how there are more and more who choose to think that it is all just a big cosmic accident!
anyway, your bows are no accident and i am enjoying mine daily.

Awesome! Couldn't have said it better.

For me that is part of the draw to traditional equipment.
The fascinating colors of the woods used to the amazing grains that show through.I never tire of admiring the looks and feel of a well crafted wood bow. The graceful curves of a recurve to the subtle lines of a longbow,only add to beauty.

Ever sit in your stand and marvel at the beautiful wood in your bow? I appreciate all the hard work and skill our favorite bowyers put into their work. They're revealing God's creation and making a functional tool for us to enjoy. Pure artistry.

That's why you will never see a metal riser in my hand.

Thanks Mike, nicely said!

When Michelangelo was asked how he created his sculptures he said it was always in there, it was just his job to remove what was unnecessary.

Working with our hands and a natural medium is one of the most rewarding endeavors there is.

Very well said my friend!  

Think about this, It is the pleasure of God to hide a thing and the treausure of kings to search out a matter.
Everytime I cut into a piece of wood I think of how wonderful our God is. He spoke this into existence. What an awesome thing! He hid this until we come along and cut it and dry it and form it. He put inspiration into us and created us in his image . He gave us the desire to be creative and the material he formed hundreds of years ago so that we could see and enjoy its beauty.
Way cool thread. I love how many brothers on this site see the work of God in their lives and are not ashamed of HIM.

God bless each of you . Steve

I think it's like watching the bow being born, like watching your child come into the world. You see this beautiful bow come Into the world because of the love that is in your two hands and you already start to think about the first arrow that's gonna fly out of it and what adventures it's gonna see!

  very well said!

I enjoy pretty wood and character bows and such as much as anyone, but believing it's beautiful or available or possible because a god created it? C'monnnnnn  

All I know is no human being made all the trees, if one chooses to believe they resulted from something else you're welcome to that.  I didn't make the wood pretty though, just sayin'.

there is a very real, yet undefineable energy or appeal to wood...whether it be a hand scribed cabin, that dinette set or in this case, a finely crafted bow.  I understand this, and wish I could get my wife to find the same pleasure from admiring honest "art".

x2 Sixby! Well said.