Looking out my window this morning I see a huge
unfinished project. We’re in the midst of a deck rebuild which is proving to be
a much more involved process than we anticipated. I knew it could be, but eight
days into the job, I peer through the windows and see a retaining wall, the
first support beams, and four twelve-foot posts sticking up in thin air like wooden
monoliths. Good thing it’s in the back yard or people driving by would wonder
what on earth we’re building! Actually, the posts will be part of an eight-foot
diameter octagonal gazebo attached to the deck. At first glance you might be tempted to
think, “Why did it take eight days to get to this point?” Look a little more
closely though and you would see…
…a very muddy and torn-up back and side yard due to the
fact we had to bring in a mini-excavator to dig holes for the concrete sonotube
footings…after a half-day’s attempt with a two-man auger to drill holes, it was
no match for the bedrock only two feet down…so much for the four-foot
requirement. Not even the excavator could get through it!
…an extremely neat level gravel underlay covering the
ugly uneven ground that existed under our old deck…one carpenter - turned
landscaper for the first phase of this reno - said it looked like “gopher holes”
before they started…six tons of gravel all moved by wheelbarrow!
…a lovely wooden retaining wall holding back some of the
gravel and angling around the base of the gazebo providing some new garden
space
…an octagonal structure forming the base of the gazebo
now positioned perfectly on top of support beams which rest on the footings…I
wondered why they built this frame on day two until I saw them painstakingly
position/reposition it time after time on the ground to know exactly where to
dig for the footings
…the large disposal bin gracing our driveway which is
almost due to be emptied a second time
I figured there had to be some spiritual lessons in all
of this somewhere and I remembered what our contractor had told me the day the
excavator left such an ugly mess, “You have to keep the end result in mind,
Kathy. I know it looks bad now, but we’re going to fix it all up and it will be
beautiful.” As he began to explain the process and help me visualize the big
picture, I had to just trust him and leave it all in the Lord’s capable hands. Here
are a few insights I’ve gleaned so far from this project:
…taking the necessary time to measure everything not only
once but several times ensures that what you can’t literally see at the moment
fits together accurately later. As I watched them measure for the placement of
the footings time after time, I began to understand the importance of these
steps as they positioned the gazebo floor support into place. When they began
to lower those “monolith” posts into position and they all sat perfectly on top
of the footings, I felt myself breathe a sigh of relief. I heard an elated “Yeah!!”
out of the two carpenters which made me feel even better.
I thought of my life and how I so often get frustrated or
discouraged with the growth processes God takes me through. I’ve been reminded
a few times this week to think of these times as a “gift” from God and
something to be received rather than steps to be avoided and unappreciated. It
takes time to build a proper secure foundation on which God can continue
developing me into the person He designed me to be.
Psalm 18:30-36 says, “As
for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield
for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the
Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way
perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on
the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop
down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do
not turn.”
Isn’t that just so awesome!! He is my Rock who provides
me with a solid foundation on which to stand. When I saw the huge slab of
bedrock that sits exactly where most of the footings were to go, we all chuckled
as we agreed those footings, pegged into the bedrock, could not be a more sure support
for our new deck.
As I watch things taking shape, I’m beginning to see past
the mess, the ugliness, the brokenness. It gives me renewed confidence that, “He
who began a good work in (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of
Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
Until next Sunday,
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteYour deck is going to be gorgeous when completed! I remember when we did construction and how messy things were and it is a matter of getting past it all. Thank you for stopping to visit me.
Wow - that's going to be a beautiful deck!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments on our new paint color Mindful Gray - it is simply stunning and am so glad we chose it! It has made our space look even bigger and brighter, more spacious! Can't wait to get our furniture back in place and start decorating :D - Have a great week!
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