For one week straight! Wait! I mean “bent over”! Well, you get the picture. Here are the questions that absorbed our minds for those 10080 minutes.
Why did we wait until we’re ready to move to redecorate?
Why does the furniture have to weigh so much?
How did we collect so much stuff?
If where we had it stored was the only place we could find, now where do we put it until we move?
Why do they make paint can rims with grooves that trap paint when it’s poured, and splatter paint when the lid is hammered back on the can?
Why did we collect so much stuff?
Why are the ceilings still a stretch beyond the reach of the only convenient step ladder?
Why is it so much hotter painting near the ceiling?
Why is there so much paint still left in the brush and roller when you need to clean them?
Why does the roller keep coming off the handle?
Where does all this stuff come from anyway?
Why is it that you always find a “spot” you missed after you’ve put the paint and brushes away?
Why is it called a “drop cloth” when it’s plastic and there are no…, oops! Okay, I know the answer to that one!
Miracle of miracles, we did not get any paint on the carpet. Well, we thought we did this morning when we saw what appeared to be white paint on the cream colored carpet in one bedroom. Relief! When she moved in front of the window where sun rays were streaming through the blinds, the “paint” spots disappeared. Whew!
The week did have it affect on us. Evenings we’d drag ourselves to bed, with a few new aches and pains the next morning when the call of work rang out. Eventually, we have survived and surprise, surprise, are quite pleased with the results. “Not too bad,” to quote an oft’ quoted phrase.
As I continue to reflect on what we have accomplished this week, besides the tired muscles and a few new pains, I am struck by the fact that we have been doing this in order that someone’s impression of our house on its “first showing” might be impressed enough to buy it. We have been sowing seeds of improvement in order to reap a harvest of approval and purchase.
As Christians, we are indeed engaged in a task that seeks to have our spiritual “product” favorably in view by prospective “buyers”. In this task we are in danger of being “weary in our well doing” and thus communicate not joy but a wearisome weight of sadness and sorrow that will certainly not encourage others to consider Christ’s call to His life. On the other hand, a “cross bearer” who does so with joy for the Presence of Christ and the Power of His Spirit in the midst of any toil or tribulation, will bring a witness of the true reality of hope and vision that goes beyond the task at hand. To use an agricultural example found in Psalm 126, verses 5 and 6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
May these words and my sharing of our toil be an encouragement to you in your tasks today. Oh, by the way. Are you interested in a freshly painted 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with attached two-car garage? We might even throw in a used “drop cloth” and some “stuff” we just found!
Why did we wait until we’re ready to move to redecorate?
Why does the furniture have to weigh so much?
How did we collect so much stuff?
If where we had it stored was the only place we could find, now where do we put it until we move?
Why do they make paint can rims with grooves that trap paint when it’s poured, and splatter paint when the lid is hammered back on the can?
Why did we collect so much stuff?
Why are the ceilings still a stretch beyond the reach of the only convenient step ladder?
Why is it so much hotter painting near the ceiling?
Why is there so much paint still left in the brush and roller when you need to clean them?
Why does the roller keep coming off the handle?
Where does all this stuff come from anyway?
Why is it that you always find a “spot” you missed after you’ve put the paint and brushes away?
Why is it called a “drop cloth” when it’s plastic and there are no…, oops! Okay, I know the answer to that one!
Miracle of miracles, we did not get any paint on the carpet. Well, we thought we did this morning when we saw what appeared to be white paint on the cream colored carpet in one bedroom. Relief! When she moved in front of the window where sun rays were streaming through the blinds, the “paint” spots disappeared. Whew!
The week did have it affect on us. Evenings we’d drag ourselves to bed, with a few new aches and pains the next morning when the call of work rang out. Eventually, we have survived and surprise, surprise, are quite pleased with the results. “Not too bad,” to quote an oft’ quoted phrase.
As I continue to reflect on what we have accomplished this week, besides the tired muscles and a few new pains, I am struck by the fact that we have been doing this in order that someone’s impression of our house on its “first showing” might be impressed enough to buy it. We have been sowing seeds of improvement in order to reap a harvest of approval and purchase.
As Christians, we are indeed engaged in a task that seeks to have our spiritual “product” favorably in view by prospective “buyers”. In this task we are in danger of being “weary in our well doing” and thus communicate not joy but a wearisome weight of sadness and sorrow that will certainly not encourage others to consider Christ’s call to His life. On the other hand, a “cross bearer” who does so with joy for the Presence of Christ and the Power of His Spirit in the midst of any toil or tribulation, will bring a witness of the true reality of hope and vision that goes beyond the task at hand. To use an agricultural example found in Psalm 126, verses 5 and 6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
May these words and my sharing of our toil be an encouragement to you in your tasks today. Oh, by the way. Are you interested in a freshly painted 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with attached two-car garage? We might even throw in a used “drop cloth” and some “stuff” we just found!
2 comments:
Glad to hear that you are finally finished! That was a huge undertaking!
Now that you guys are so experienced...you can come do my house!
I'm happy you're finished, but sorta sad... I liked the colored walls. :(
I agree with Amb...I have work at my house too that needs to be done!
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