Under construction

We are under construction. Dust is everywhere and our home is in disarray. We’ve taken on two major renovation projects, a covered porch and a basement redo. When it’s finished, it will be worth the mess we are living through.

Construction projects always bring the unexpected. We’ve done our share of do-it-yourself, but this project is way beyond our skill set. You never really know the extent of a remodeling job until you start doing some careful inspection and demolition. Even an experienced builder, who knows the ins and outs, will include a contingency in his estimate for the “just in case”.

We have found two “just in cases” – one involving the HVAC system, the other, the deck, not built to code. They were done to cut corners or who knows why. Why it wasn’t properly done is a moot point. We need to remedy the situation and there is cost.

Homes are a work in progress. There is routine maintenance, repairs, upgrades, cleaning out clutter, sometimes a complete gutting and renovation. I’m the kind that likes home projects done in a snap. I want the end result without enduring the process. I don’t really enjoy the process.

Someone once said, our spiritual life is like a home. I like that analogy. One houses family, the other houses Jesus. A spiritual home needs routine inspections, repairs and maybe some demolition. It too is a work in progress.

Without TLC, a spiritual home will start showing signs of neglect. It’s just how it goes. Spiritual homes need tending to, like anything of value. An inventory or inspection might be a place to start. We may want to bring along The Builder, after all, He is the original Creator of the home. He knows the blueprint and can certainly show us the areas that need attention, if we ask. We may find some surprises, but they won’t surprise Him. It is a process. It takes time.

In an effort to care for my spiritual home, I am asking myself these questions:

How’s my patience, my caring, my gentleness?
How’s my self doubt, my insecurities, my need for validation?
How’s my reaction to others? Am I frequently triggered?
How’s my anxiety, fear, self-condemnation, or anger?
How am I loving? Am I loving those difficult to love?
Am I all about doing and performing? Am I able to be, to be still?
Am I  joyful, content, peaceful?

The Builder cannot  expose what needs attention if I am not
willing to walk through an inspection.

Let’s sit with The Builder. He is patient and loving. He knows our home inside and out. If we ask, He will guide us through the original blueprint and show us the beautiful design He created. There may be some things that need care. We may have added on to the original blueprint – there may be need for some demolition. There may be rooms that store junk which could use some purging. We may need some decluttering and a good spring cleaning.

I would like my spiritual home to be more than guest ready. You know what I mean – clean and tidy for when the guests come over. Clean and tidy in appearance because the unsightly has been hidden behind closed doors. Candles and lighting may enhance the house temporarily, but when the guests leave, all that is hidden seeps back out.

We are a work in progress. Time with The Builder is time well spent. It may be messy at times and even costly, but the finished project will be magnificent. I don’t want a spiritual home that is guest ready. I want a spiritual home that is real, authentic, original in design and most importantly, Jesus ready.