FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The past few weeks have been filled with so many things, sitting down to write has not come easily. Last week was the final push to get the house liveable and approved for occupancy. Moving day happened and we are thankful it is all behind us now.

With a whole house renovation, it's difficult to determine which space gets priority to put the finishing touches on. All our floors are new, the plumbing, heating and electric is new. However lighting fixtures are yet to be hung and every wall, ceiling and all the trim needs painting. So we are living in a patchwork of new and old, updated and outdated.

I chose the front door to be one of the first things to be painted. It may seem unimportant and frivolous, but I want those coming to the house the have a good first impression. The welcome matters. A coat of black paint and door mat with well-placed pumpkins and a bench set the stage nicely. It says, "Someone lives here. Come on in."

The next space I gave attention to was a closet. This is my first ever walk-in closet!

 BEFORE

It was a series of cut-up spaces with nooks and crannies everywhere. The carpet was dirty and the room felt very close and dirty. Upon demolition it appeared as though half of it was once a smaller room; maybe another closet or something.

But we gutted the space. New flooring and drywall opened it up nicely. Now all we needed was shelving, hooks and rods...

 AFTER

First impressions are important. It's what is immediately seen. We care about what others think. But we must not only give attention to what is seen on the outside. We must also care about what is going on inside. Our inner closets hold many thoughts, feelings and memories. These places are important too. I want to be sure that what is seen on the outside is a true reflection of what is inside my heart. This has been a reminder to me once again to care for my "house" both inside and out.

And now today, I must give attention to more closets. While these little places are often unseen and feel unimportant in the grand interior design scheme, they are actually what has become priority. Because when the closets are clean and organized, the rest of the house will be too. 

And truly, when our inside (unseen by others) is cared for, our outside (what is seen by others) is healthier. 

I wish you many blessings today as you care for your "house", inside AND out.

BALANCING ACT

I find myself drifting between two worlds. My hands are busy with tasks that are at polar opposite ends of the spectrum. A precious new grandchild is born at the same time we are in the thick of a whole house renovation.

It has been a reminder to me about how one must be ready for whatever life brings. And it has shown me how much I need to lean on the Father for his strength and wisdom to handle those things when they come.

Gentle, calm, careful, holding, caressing, tender and loving...

 

Rough, rip, smash, tear, destroy and demolish...

Life is a balancing act. There is a time and season for all things. And perhaps, at times, we can experience those seasons simultaneously. It is during this crazy and seemingly chaotic time that I lean heavily into God's promise that he provides me with his presence and strength to face each day. His purpose in it all is to transform me to become like him. 

Reading in Ecclesiastes 3..."For everything there is a season...yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from the beginning to the end...God's purpose is that people should fear him..."

So today I embrace the tender and the rough, the sweetness and gritty...because I am able to see HIM in both.

LESSONS LEARNED

I felt it would be beneficial to sit down sometime and make a list of things we learned during our first official whole house renovation on Orange Street. It is wise and good to observe, reflect, and then live according to what we have learned. We can then apply these principles to what we are currently doing. It always strengthens my faith to reflect and recall God's faithfulness to me in the past.

 

So here is my personal testimony after being in the "School of House Renovations 101"...

1. God is the best general contractor one could ever have. He knows the end from the beginning. Trust him throughout the entire project.

2. Timing is everything. What may appear as a glitch which causes project time to be lost, will work out for the best in the end...and actually puts you ahead of schedule.

3. Creating boundaries and margins in time worked helps keep stress at bay. Stick to those boundaries as much as possible and it will prevent the renovation project from taking over your life.

4. Using the right tools and having a teachable spirit (learn from the professionals) is necessary to obtain the best results.  

5. Honor and respect all workers involved in the project. Their gifts of craftsmanship and care are gifts that God uses in his kingdom. Bless and pray for them, compensating them for their time with a generous and grateful spirit.


May you also be encouraged as you reflect on what you've learned from past experiences. God wants to take us further; in our skills and in our faith.





Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

EMPTY SHELVES

 

It's beginning. It has to happen in order to move on. This is the part I don't enjoy; tearing down and packing away all the things that I so carefully set in place three years ago. 

Room by room.

Closet by closet.

Shelf by shelf.

It all gets put in a box.

But starting again in a new house has some advantages and packing boxes becomes a time to ponder what's going on in life.

• It's an opportunity to see how much stuff we never use, and therefore probably don't need. 
• It's an opportunity to clean those corners and high places that typically are never touched. 
• It's an opportunity to bless others with items I no longer use. 
• It's an opportunity to recall memories from the past as I handle things like photos, books and gifts.

This time I've been packing slowly and far in advance of our move hoping to minimize the last minute stress that can occur. The dining room is filling with boxes. Each day a few more appear.

This is also a time of emptying myself. This "tearing down" is not pleasant work. There are many things in life I cannot control. Recently, I wrote in my journal...

 "Lord, today I offer all that I have again to you with open hands. Where we live and where I work is open before you. I give you complete control. Take what I have and use it as you want...We hold tightly to you. Come to us with clarity and assurance. We need your presence..."

Starting a new day with this attitude is advantageous. Emptying myself becomes a time to ponder what's going on inside.

• It's an opportunity to get rid of negative attitudes.
• It's an opportunity to allow God to point out places I've not yet given over to him.
• It's an opportunity to look for blessings amidst all the negative.
• It's an opportunity to recall how faithful God has been in the past.

Yes, this "emptying" is a slow process. But it's necessary. It is necessary if I want to move forward into a new place. And as I empty myself, may He fill me with his presence and peace.

 "Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord NEVER ends! His mercies NEVER cease! Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:21-23

ANOTHER JOURNEY

What do I do when the desire to continue renovating doesn't go away? What do I do with a mind that is continually looking for another old forgotten house that needs to be cared for?

He says I'm a house-stalker. Maybe I am.

When darkness falls, I readily admit it's fun to peek through windows of homes that have their lights on inside. I'm looking at the rooms. What color is it painted? How is the furniture arranged? Is there a fireplace? Does it have interesting architectural features?

It could be called an addiction I suppose. I've felt apologetic and guilty about it at times.

But could this passion have originated in the heart of God? Could it be that what I long to do, what fills me with satisfaction and fulfillment, is actually part of my contribution to the world?

I like this quote by Frederick Beuchner. "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

This brings gladness to my soul: seeing forgotten broken houses become whole and new again. But there is a deeper and greater purpose in this. After all, it's not so much about the destination; it's about the JOURNEY. It's not so much about a beautiful house in the end. It's about what is learned in the process of making it beautiful.

We all have a hunger for God, whether we are aware of it or not. It is a deep hunger. In what do you find deep gladness?  What are you observing and learning in the process; on the JOURNEY?

...and now I invite you to join me on another JOURNEY. What new lessons will be learned as I begin caring for another house?

There will be more pictures; more "befores" and "afters". But currently we are still on the journey towards occupying this place. In the coming weeks, we are trusting God to work in the situation so that this house can become a place for his peace and power to be ministered into the lives of those who visit. This is our journey. And what a process it is! Our eyes and hearts are wide open.

A bit of history for those of you who are curious: It is likely the worst house in a beautiful neighborhood along a private road. It is a foreclosure. Built in 1972, it is dated with dark paneling. However, vaulted ceilings, an open staircase, stone fireplaces and a daylight basement present some very promising features. I've been waiting for it to be up for sale for about 6 months, tracking it online. With a month's time to clean it up enough for us to move into it, we are definitely on the fast track. Settlement is slated for September 26. Move-in date will be October 25. Stay tuned for details as things unfold...