Renovating My Heart
This may come as a shock to you, but sometimes renovating a house isn't all it's cracked up to be. I know, I know, shocking right? We have renovated a couple homes prior to our current one, so it's not like I didn't know what I was getting into this time around. But we have learned rather quickly that renovating with a child (and one cooking in the oven) is not as easy as it was with our previous homes. Our time to spend working on the house is much more limited than it was before. We were able to work every night after work, often skipping dinner, to meet our quick deadlines. We worked all day, all weekend to finish all the tiny details. We both could work simultaneously tackling a few different projects or combining our efforts to crank out a big to-do item. Add a kid... and it changes things. Only one person can work at a time unless you get a babysitter. You still need to feed said child, even if you have no energy left to cook. Working from 7AM to 9PM? Out of the question, especially when nap times need to be somewhat quiet. Additionally, your funds seem to disappear more quickly with a kiddo in tow. Diapers? Clothes? Shoes? Toys? That second income that you had when you were working full time? Oh, you need a minivan now? Seems that all your pinched pennies are flying out windows left and right. Lesson effectively learned over here-- renovating with a child takes a lot longer! Taking a look pretty much in any direction of my house will provide evidence of this fact.
Hanging lights and chains that block the view of yourself in the mirror? Check.
Oven that also doubles as a historic artifact? Check.
Open expanse with no furniture or decorations? Check.
When will the time come that I am able to rid my house of these things?
Is my pessimism getting old? My husband agrees. :) Along with learning that this house renovation will like take a full year or two longer than I was initially imagining, I have learned about patience and being content. In our society nowadays, we have an attitude of instant satisfaction and gratification. The world is telling us that we need to have the best of everything, and we need to have it now. Commercials are constantly telling us about new cars we can be driving (for such a low rate even!) and all of the newest fashions. It is a constant struggle with our sinful natures to fight against this commercialism-- to remind ourselves that that new pair of boots, that shiny new car, or in my case, that new stainless steel gas oven is not the key to our life's happiness.
Fortunately, we as Christians can find happiness in our faith and assurance of Christ as our Savior instead of in our material possessions. We can be content with whatever God provides for us, knowing that this is only our earthly home, and heaven is our eternal. We can learn patience as we allow God to answer our prayers as He sees fit, even if it means your bathroom will remain unfinished for far longer than you ever thought you could tolerate. :)
Ecclesiastes 5:10, 20 "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless... God keeps you occupied with gladness of heart."
Furthermore, we have confidence that God will always provide for us whatever we need.
Matthew 6: 28-33: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
While I know that I won't lose the desire to continue renovating and decorating anytime soon, I can use this time to remind myself to be content in all situations. I always have happiness in my Lord and Savior even if I never get rid of the old chains in my bathroom.
Do you have anything in your life that threatens to steal your happiness and contentment? Please share your personal experiences and how you were able to overcome them.
