CONTRACTOR

While you won't find me reading books very often, you will find me reading home decorating magazines cover to cover, sometimes several times through. Currently, the ones in my magazine rack are Renovation Style and House Beautiful. I love to read all about the process of design and renovation. One of the things that I've learned through the stories inside these publications is that when doing major renovations it is always best to have a good and trustworthy contractor overseeing the project. Experience says that nightmares can be avoided and the process might actually be enjoyed if the right contractor is hired. So as Keith and I set out on our renovation project, the first bit of advice I heeded was to find a contractor. 

So in the last couple weeks we've been talking with a contractor. And today we've decided to sign a contract with one. We are excited about partnering with him and the group of craftsman he will be managing. It feels odd to "hand over the work" to another. But this house is a bit different; the renovation a bit bigger and more extensive. Keith and I have been quite used to doing this type of thing ourselves as we look back over the number of house renovations we've tackled in the past. And of course, we will get our hands dirty on this project too. After all...the point of this whole project is to do the stuff ourselves. We'll do our part where we can each week, but leave certain things to the experts.

One morning during our early morning walk, Keith and I were talking about various details as we imagined moving forward on the purchase of this house. We had gone through the house twice and became very aware of the extent of the needed renovations. Everything had to be cared for; top to bottom; inside and out. With this in mind, we prayed! "Father, this is bigger than us. We declare YOU to be our General Contractor. We trust YOU to orchestrate everything that needs to be done. We declare that in this house people will know that 'unless the Lord builds the house our labor is in vain'. Anoint all who work on this project with the knowledge of who YOU are and who they are in You. Amen." 

I once heard someone say that God is a God of the impossible. I can do what is possible but if I want to accomplish greater things, I will need to take risks. My life is quite comfortable and predictable currently. I could choose to remain in that place. But I am not satisfied here; God is calling me forward. To take a risk. To trust Him with what I cannot do. 

"Thank you, Father, for being our General Contractor. You are big enough and good enough. I choose to trust you with each detail..." 

How about you? Where do you need to "hire the General Contractor"? What might He be able to do that you cannot do? Where do you need to risk?

 O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:12

I've got great plans for this kitchen!

 

ZEAL

This week I met with our architect. I've often wished I would have pursued this profession, but back in the "old days", for one reason or another, I perceived that was something girls didn't seriously pursue. I love the mechanics and design of architectural drawing! It is a "language" I'd love to learn to speak more fluently. This meeting got my creative juices flowing. Since then my mind has been quite occupied with all the plans. I imagine walking through the new floor plan as I take my 30 minute drive to and from work. At night as I fall asleep I try to imagine how I might place our furniture in the spaces. I look forward to choosing paint colors for the walls, tile for the floors, lighting fixtures, kitchen cabinetry, rugs for the floors and fabric for curtains. All these decisions energize me and...


...as I was dressing this morning the words I heard in my mind were "zeal for the house consumes me". Aren't those words in scripture somewhere? I began to wonder...am I becoming consumed with this project? Is that bad? Am I focusing too much on the material things in life? I then sensed God speak to my heart. "I am Creator. You are made in my image. Your creativity is a reflection of part of Me." I thanked Him for affirming me...


...and then I responded in a prayer. "Lord, give me your heart for Your House - the people of God, the church. I place zeal for Your House over and above zeal for my house. Keep me balanced with right priorities." 


I'm enjoying this stage as plans on paper are taking shape. However, the real action doesn't start for a couple months yet. Until then, I'll keep dreaming, creating and planning...

This living-room will become warm and inviting with just the right paint colors, a working fireplace, bookshelves, comfy couches, draperies and, most importantly, family and friends.

*Psalms 69:9, John 2:17

HOUSE

As long as I can remember I've been intrigued with houses. Playtime as a child would involve drawing house plans, paging through the JC Penney catalogue to find furnishings and gluing everything onto a large sheet of paper as if I knew by instinct what an interior design presentation was all about. Cast off furniture that had found a home in our basement became my playground as I would arrange and rearrange "rooms", creating environments for imaginary play. I would even enjoy building "houses" in the cornfields, bushes and woods around my home when I preferred to be out of doors. 


Someone once asked me, "If time and resources were unlimited, what would you dream of doing?" I knew the answer to that question right away. I wanted to purchase a big old HOUSE and renovate it room by room. I now perceive this dream to be at my doorstep. After approximately 4 restless years of dreaming, praying and asking God for direction, I discovered a HOUSE that caught my eye. It is not beautiful..yet. It is not functional...yet. It is not warm and inviting...yet. It is not even officially ours...yet. But I see potential; I have a vision; I have faith and energy to see it to completion.


As I ponder this HOUSE, in this season of my life, I am convinced there is more to it than meets the eye. It's not so much about acquiring a HOUSE...it is something that God is doing deep within me. A HOUSE can be defined as a dwelling place. As a Christian, my life (or heart) is a dwelling place of the Almighty God. He is the ultimate renovator. My heart is often not full of beauty...until He touches it. My life is often not very functional...until He fixes it. My attitudes and actions are not always warm and inviting towards others...until I allow Him to change me. And many times I don't give myself wholly to Him. But He sees my potential. He has a vision and plans for me and promises to bring it all to completion. Do I have enough faith to fall into His hands and trust Him? It is His work, not mine, that makes all things beautiful.


Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Psalm 127:1 Lord, as I engage in the renovation of this HOUSE, I ask that you would teach me and renovate me by the work of your Holy Spirit.


I welcome you to join me on this HOUSE journey...

Here she is!