What A Mess…
June 18th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized
As the 4th family in a newly developed sub-division, we’ve been up to our eyeballs in dust for months. Our ears are so accustomed to the mariachi music and the sound of construction we almost didn’t notice it…at least until it’s quiet at night. Then we deeply appreciate the sound os silence.
One of the things we enjoy doing on a Sunday afternoon in the neighborhood is explore each new house as it’s going up around us. We monitor the progress and discuss changes we’d make if we were building this home for ourselves. (at least I do…I always have an opinion).
An interesting observation we’ve made over the last few months is how quickly a 5,000 square foot house can be framed. Last week, the house was framed next door. Mike and I were leaving the morning they started. We laughed and agreed, “They’ll have it done by the end of the day”. They practically DID!
It’s the inside work that takes so long to complete. Months of intricate, tedious, detail work. It’s a messy few months to get a house ready to move in to… but of what sweet peace to move in a home where the details of the dirt have been dealt with.
The real ‘ah-ha’ observation here is realizing it’s the same with us. We can make our outsides look pretty good, pretty fast. It’s the months (or years) of intricate; tedious inside detail work that makes life feel so messy sometimes isn’t it? Hey…you just get the closet of your heart cleaned up only to find dirty fingerprints of unforgiveness on your family room walls. You just cleaned those walls last week didn’t you?
I’ve been working hard on areas of my ‘house’ for many years now. It’s still messy most days but I see a lot of progress. Having a vision of what I’m ‘becoming’ helps the choice to roll up my sleeves and do the work everyday a little easier. Now don’t get me wrong…this is work I rarely enjoy… I’ve just tasted the joy, the freedom & the peace it’s brought to my life, my family and friends. It’s totally worth it.
Oops… Time to turn up the mariachi music and get back to work… I think I see ’something’ dripping through the ceiling and making a puddle on the floor. Could that be pride??
