Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Lives Under Construction

My husband, Jarrod, and I have been completely engulfed in home construction over the past 5 years. We bought our beautiful, wooded property 10 years ago and had a small house built that we knew we would be able to add on to later. Prior to the birth of our first son, Silas, we knew the time had come to add on to the house. With a limited budget due to the fact that I had stopped working to be a stay-at-home mom, we knew we would have to take on a lot of the work ourselves. So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We devised our grand home plans and thought it would be a piece of cake to carry them out. We hired a builder to do all of the foundation and structural work, but then it was our turn. We had to learn how to do everything else: plumbing, wiring, insulating, drywall, metal roofing, siding, window and door installation, flooring installation, kitchen installation…you name it, we learned it! We had two children during all of this, plus Jarrod worked full-time! I  tell you all of this not to pat ourselves on the back, but to say that prior to actually beginning the work, neither of us had done more than put together a wooden bookshelf out of  a box from Wal Mart- and we HAD to use the directions just to do that!  

What we took on, looking back, was nearly impossible. But we were determined and willing. We learned a lot of things as we built our house. Jarrod quickly picked up a lot of skills (and new tools!) I learned about hard work and sacrifice, patience and teamwork. When we have a calling in our life to do something, though we may feel completely unprepared, after going through the process of learning and doing, we become qualified. But we have to be willing and we have to jump in and give it everything we've got.  In the same way, in our relationship with Jesus, when we first devote our lives to Him, we think it's going to be simple and are eager to begin. But  challenges come and we begin to doubt whether or not we have what it takes. But Jesus sees something in us that we don't see- He knows that we can do it! By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can carry His message, we can live out a life that pleases Him, we can love others. He's not expecting instant perfection any more than Jarrod and I expected our house to be finished instantly (although that would have been nice). He expects us to simply follow Him, and He will give us the endurance, patience, and power we need. 

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