For about a month we have been remodeling our bathroom, OURSELVES!! For about a month now I have been cleaning my bathroom just to have to sand something else, make another cut or knock something else out.
The reason for our remodel was because some of the tile surrounding the tub fell and along with it some sheet rock. So we went to our local store, we picked out all the things we need to make the bathroom all new and pretty!
So it began. We have gotten our cabinets sanded and painted and put back up with new hardware. We've bought the paint for the walls. Ordered the countertop, bought the sink and faucet. We've finally got it all cut and only needing to be secured, but not before I had to clean out all of the drawers in my bathroom and sweep saw dust and the dust from cutting sheetrock out of every corner and crevasse in my bathroom. Finally, after what seemed like days of cleaning it is starting to look pretty.
And yet the issue still remains.
So I decided to dive head first into the issue. I took a hammer and started beating the shower wall. Dust went flying everywhere. Little pieces of porcelain tile went flying, sheet rock just falling to pieces landing all over my bathroom. Things got messy, AGAIN.
Today a had a breakdown. My house can't stay clean!! We're trying to get this bathroom redone and I keep cleaning up mess after mess after mess!! WHY WON'T THINGS JUST STAY CLEAN?!?!?! During this breakdown I heard God speak to me, this is what we do. Christian or not, we see an issue in some one or ourselves, just like with my bathroom, then we imagine how pretty they (or we) could be without the issue. So it begins. We start buying all the new shiny things we need to complete the picture in our brain.
And yet the issue remains.
We can't have the new and pretty until we deal with the old and ugly. We must deal with it! We must understand that while dealing with it things get messy. Really messy!!
For most of us messy upsets us. We do not like things to be dirty or out of place. We do not like anyone to see our mess. Sometimes the mess is big enough if anyone comes to visit there is no way to hide it.
We must deal with it. Mess is hard. No one likes cleaning messes, especially huge ones!! But if we deal with it, if we push through and get the mess cleaned up and fixed. If we deal with it, in the end we get the new and pretty bathroom we imagined!!
Today my words to you may seem harsh now, but you'll be happy someone told you.
DEAL WITH IT.
Let God show you how. He knows the mess, it does not scare him. He has the answers!!
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Phillipians 2:12
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zachariah 13:9
Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:35
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:12-14
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford
Brenna Stanford
