Measure Twice Cut Once

I like to think of me as frugal - those who know me say that I am cheap. For nearly ten years I have needed to change my garage doors. They did not match and were pretty worn out. (Kind of like me!) I went to the large building supply store and the young man asked me what size my garage doors were. He said they would either be eight foot by seven foot or nine foot by seven foot. He then said for thirty five dollars he could send over a man who knew how to install garage doors to determine the exact size. I quickly informed the young man that I was able to measure the doors! He said for an additional charge he knew a company that could install the doors. I again reminded him of my amazing abilities.

I smiled as I drove away from the store with two garage doors in the back of my Tahoe. I not only saved money - I proved to the young man it could be done. I won on two levels! Eager to finish the job I quickly started the project. I was too excited to clear out an area, clean up the space, or even read the instructions. Lori went over to our neighbor's house and informed John that I was doing it again. John is an engineer that has a perfect garage, reads the instructions, and has the right tools. (He also had a new garage door installed for him a couple of years ago.) With his help we quickly put up the first door and discovered my garage door opening was not seven foot. It is only six foot and six inches.

I drove to an overhead door place to get help. I told them my situation and they laughed! "What kind of idiot would buy a garage door without measuring first?" They said I needed an 8 foot by 6 ½ foot door. He then volunteered, "We have two in stock and I recommend that we install it for you." I might have bought them if he didn't finish that sentence with laughter!

I did it again. I accepted something as truth without measuring. Paul told the Thessalonians "Test everything. Hold on to the good." In other words - Measure twice cut once.

July 26, 2006