My Messed Up House

The other day I was hanging out with a kid and he made the following statement:

"Compare your house to mine. Yours is kinda messed up while mine is really pretty. I still like you're house, but mine's kinda nicer than yours".

Now, there was no way that this kid had any idea that my house is somewhat of a soft spot for me, nor do I think he meant anything negative toward me.

I really like my house. A lot. It feels like home to me and despite the endless list of things to fix, I still really love my house. However, I am also kind of sensitive about it because I know it needs a lot of work...and I know that I can't do most of that work. In fact, while a lot of really awesome work has already been done on my house, I have done very little of it. I have a wonderful new kitchen, that was funded by home church and installed almost exclusively by Frank Hinson.

Same story with my floors, installing the washer and dryer, installing my refrigerator, and on and on. I pretty much have to call in a favor (90% of the time it ends up being Frank) or pay someone money whenever something needs to be done at my house. And I hate that. I have put up curtains, and done some painting. I did put together my TV stand and my nightstand, but that's about it.

So, as much as I love my house and want to see it someday become a really nice house, I recognize that I can not do it alone. I am dependent (more than most and WAY more than I would like to be) on others to help make that happen. Especially as I look at the list of things that need to happen. As much as I would love to know how to fix leaks, install windows, tear down and install ceilings, fix lighting, change outlets, etc.; at this point I just don't have those skills. And, I'm not sure where I could fit construction classes into my schedule. :)

All of this got me thinking about my life. There are so many things I would like to change about myself, so many ways I would like to become more like Christ. But I can't do it alone. In fact, even the simplest task in my life can not be done without Him. And to really become the person that God created me to be, I need other people as well. People to show me Christ, show me where I fall short, and to encourage me in my walk.

My life will be so much easier if I can every truly grasp the truth that I can't do it alone!! If I can someday fully understand my desperate need for Him, maybe more and more of my brokenness will actually be restored.

Someday I won't be living in a messed up house. Until then, I am SO thankful that God feels about me the same way I feel about my house. No matter what anyone else thinks, I can't help but love it. :)