This morning is literally rattling my world! It has been a long time coming.  I had plenty of time to adjust, but I forget how disturbing it is to have changes to your home.  This morning jackhammers & skidloaders began removing concrete from my back patio.  As I calmly, this is how I picture it in my mind, washed my dishes at the kitchen sink, the floor shook beneath my feet.

This work needs to be done.  The soundness of my home depends on this work being done right.  Change is hard!

Honestly, I would like to throw a huge fit, cry, & melt down.  Logically I know that is an over reaction.  So I placate myself with this amusing vision.  Tears of frustration subside.  Of course, I had to text my anxiety to Mark.  He isn’t here, but he should have to suffer some too.  He was nice enough to call me after he got the text.  Mainly, to tell me I would have to tough it out.  It has to be done.

Doing what has to be done is never easy.  Generally, in my house, it denotes a job you would rather skip.  Examples: removing dead mice, cleaning your closet, letting go of out grown “stuff”, trying to fix something I broke, saying I am sorry for crushed feelings, admitting I need help, saying good by to old friends…  The list could go on & on.   Basically doing the right thing no matter how distasteful.

The “has to be done” usually entails more than just the job itself.  It strikes us deeper than that.  For Charles, the mouse thing is too tragic. At age 3ish he didn’t even want me to swat flies.  For ME & I cleaning the closet & letting go of out grown stuff, means memories.  Then we get to the really tough “has to be done”.  The letting go of pride for the “I’m sorry” & the even harder “I will try to do better”. The meaning what you say & showing by your actions.

The house leaks.  It must be fixed.  It is disturbing.  It is expensive.  It is rattling.  It is just a house.  The home part are the people inside.

So, the house will get fixed but what about me?  No wonder it is so hard to change myself, the Holy Spirits home.  It’s a much more personal version of “just has to be done”.  I am a work in progress! So glad God loves me & is patient with me!

Take heart:

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10