Skip to main content

A Work in Progress

We have officially cycled our one year mark of being in our home in New England. One way of knowing that is,  I just used the term "New England" rather than Boston. When we first moved here I noticed most people use that term in reference to the area. Sort of like Phoenicians will say, Southwest. So, I guess I am settling  into our temporary home. 

Our house is beautiful and even though I am very grateful and often have to pinch myself when I look around at the beauty surrounding our area, I can still get side tracked by the little things that aren't exactly the way I'd like them to be. Certain things that are broken that have not yet  been fixed.

There is a crack in the bathroom tile, uneven and loose bricks on the front porch, a large crack in the pavement in the garage, I think the fire pit leans right, a leaky window and the smell of thirty plus years of dampness in the basement. Those silly little things get me off focus of what is good and right about the house. Those things cause me to be discontent and even ungrateful at times. I can take even the basic things for granted. Things like running water, central air and an extremely comfortable bed to sleep in with a roof over my head. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't just stop with the house. That discontentment can spilled out on my relationship with my husband, my personal and spiritual life as well. I can get focused on those little broken things that have not yet been fixed and miss the incredible gifts in front of me. Gifts like, my husband is an amazing leader, both in our home and professionally, he is a wonderful provider and has a heart for his family like no other I've known. But I can miss those or take them for granted when I'm focused on the little things not fixed yet. After thirty plus years of marriage I thought for sure I would have fixed some things in him by now. Bring him to my way of seeing things as I do or doing things the way I do them and want them to be done. The truth is, he is as God made and wired him and that's what makes him who he is.  It's God's job to do any fixing that He sees needed in not only my husband but -gasp- in me too. Because I'm pretty sure that after thirty plus years of marriage, Jim thought for sure he would have fixed a few things in me by now too. 

I can also get focused on my brokenness and what isn't fixed in me yet  either. Things I wish I could change about myself or wish I was more spiritually mature in an area of my life. But when I look back over the course of how far God has brought me so far, on this journey with Him, I am in awe. And that reminds me of how great our God is. The work He has done and is doing in my life right now. His timing is perfect and He knows full well what needs to be fixed and what needs to remain broken ( for now). My job is to trust Him in the process. I believe that is why He allows brokenness to remain sometimes. It draws me closer to Him and increases my faith by teaching me to be content in my circumstances and to trust Him with the results.  If everything got fixed at once or in my time frame, I most likely wouldn't trust in God because I wouldn't need Him. And I most certainly wouldn't appreciate all that He has done in me, in my husband, our marriage and in our family. 

 So today I  am learning to be content in the broken stuff. I am choosing gratitude over grumbling and looking at the cracks in my life a little differently. Thanking God for His delay in fixing things so that I can lean more on Him and trust in His ever so perfect timing. And even if those things never get fixed, I will continue to put my trust in Him, who is faithful and has a greater purpose for the brokenness. 

-Pressing On 

“Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.”
Proverbs 28:26 NLT

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV


“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 



Comments

  1. http://cookazido.wordpress.comAugust 9, 2015 at 3:17 PM

    I think I need to read this post every day, Connie! I have been realizing what a grumbler I have been lately. I am thankful for God's patience with me and appreciate your encouragement to be grateful!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RBJ and a Barf Bag

  It’s been thirty years since I got breast implants. Having birthed and nursed two babies my boobs were left looking like tube socks sporting tennis balls in each one dangling from my chest. At twenty-eight years old, living in the world that put so much importance on outward appearance, I thought that I needed enhancement to feel better about myself. Looking back, maybe it did serve its purpose for a while. But, I was never truly comfortable with them. They were larger than I wanted and I’m fairly modest so I don’t like the attention I thought they brought in my younger years. Shopping for clothes, especially swimsuits has always been a challenge for me. All those cute summer dresses made me look pregnant and bras were very uncomfortable. I’m not anti-plastic surgery, implants or whatever. I’m just older and in a different stage in life and view things from a more Godly perspective now that I seek His ways for my life. I’ve known for several years that the implants in my body nee...
5 comments
Read more

Cool Mornings and Coyotes

  This is the time of year we all sing praises for living in Arizona. Cool enough in the morning and evenings to call for a light jacket and/or patio heater while the perfect temp midday allows doors and windows to be open letting in the fresh air. Ah, Spring! It also makes for a great morning since the sun comes up a little earlier. Annie loves it too since I can once again, take her with me on an early morning run.   I’m still somewhat of a chicken to run in the dark alone even with her. But these crisp mornings have been great and sunrises are my favorite. So, off we went the other day just as the sun was rising.   We did our typical run through the neighbor that has become so familiar to not only me but Annie as well. She even has the same spots to relieve herself. She likes to lead and I like to let her think she is, but I do have her on somewhat of a short leash. Mostly, because she is stronger than I am and I really don’t want any more road rash than she’s been...
4 comments
Read more

Building Bridges

I have a thing about bridges. I love them. I like old rustic bridges no matter how large or small. I like creaky  wooden ones. I like gigantic, historical bridges that connect big cities to quaint little towns. I like walking bridges that get me across a small body of water or over steep, rocky terrain. There is just something about a bridge to me, that says, "Come over, there is something really cool over here and it's worth the trip". Something so much so, that a bridge was necessary and someone invested their time and money to build it. I remember a few years ago on our last trip to San Francisco. We rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was amazing! When we got to the other side we were in a quaint little town called Sausalito . We sat outside near the water, in a little cafe and had lunch. The view of the bay was entirely different from this point of view. Not only that you could see the San Francisco skyline and the whole city itself. Definitely wo...
4 comments
Read more