The other side of renovation…

Let me just say that building, renovation, or adding on to your home, IS NOT FOR SISSIES.

It is hard, exhausting, stressful, all consuming, expensive, and at times, just plain ugly.  It takes a lot of ugly to make something beautiful…..construction wise.

I don’t like a lot of clutter and mess, but I can deal with it when there is an end goal.  Jason and I both are at the point of just being plain ol’ tired and ready for this to be done.  He has worked his tail off, is known on a first name basis by most employees at Lowe’s, has made hundreds of phone calls, spent all of his spare time working in the addition and has managed the budget.   I am so thankful for him and his commitment to our family.  Many would have caved before now!  Although it is hard for me to admit, which has issues in and of itself, there are parts of our home and yard, that look AWFUL.  There is no getting around it, it just looks a mess.  For me, it is not so much as I am concerned what people think about it, although there is a touch of middle school girl, lingering in my mind, as much as it just leaves me feeling unsettled and not able to rest.  We are at the point where there is ALWAYS something to be done which leaves for little down time.  I have not watched tv in months, it feels like, and evenings spent just hanging out have been few and far between. But, we knew that this would be part of it, to get our home the way we want it.  And this his just

phase 1…..

Living in the mess, has been such a great reminder of how Christ takes the ugly, the chaotic, the muddy and REDEEMS.   I can testify that he takes the ugly, the broken and works at it, exposing the mess and begins the process of making it new again.  , but in the end, what was once ugly, shines precious and refined, purified because of the choice to walk His path because…

He alone makes beauty from ashes.

even though the path is rocky and uneven…

it is muddy and slow….

it is full of twists and turns,

some places are harder to navigate and walk through…

but in the end, the result is worth every ounce of effort it took to become more like Christ…

There is healing, there is hope and there is BEAUTY…to display for His splendor!

So through the journey, I am reminded that even in the imperfect…. there is beauty.  It is a beauty that comes from watching a man love, lead and care for his family, by SHOWING what it means to work hard.  It is the wonder of family surrounding us and showing us their affection through sweat and blood and time spent to make our house a home.  It is our friends, who have been understanding and have placed no expectations on us during this season of life.   It is in the men who have entered our home, who have used their craft, and have been respectful, patient, helpful, full of knowledge and willing to go the extra mile with us.  We are reminded that we are blessed…..

Isaiah 61 (and Jesus’ first words in his ministry…)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.