Isn't that life? Aren't we in a continual renovation of.. us? Room by room, challenges and trials are making us better until we have a more beautiful home than possibly imagined. It's all in the blueprints (aka, Plan of Salvation if you know what I'm saying). No one is perfect (whole or complete), but we have unlimited potential. Renovation is the only way for us to realize that.
Renovation
One thing the great channel of HGTV has taught me is that renovation sometimes sucks. It's hard work, expensive, and very time-consuming. But it is a necessary process to get the home to where it needs to be. Sometimes, walls need to be torn down and better ones put up. Unexpected problems occur like mold or structural issues (okay, maybe I've been watching a bit too much HGTV). But things always work out. We might not see that at the time, but they will work out.
A poem by my favorite author, Unknown (he just keeps cranking them out), kind of sums up our renovation.
My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors–
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I, the underside.
The dark threads are as needful,
In the weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
-Author Unknown
We don't always know why renovation is so hard, but we will in the before and after moments of life.
Graduation
I recently had a before and after moment. College was kind of a big deal for me. It consisted of some defining years. Sitting with thousands of fellow graduates during commencement, it hit me. I had grown in college. I learned so much about the world, life, and myself. I have a greater understanding of who I am. I thought back to the freshman me, freaking out over her first finals, and the now me that was more mature and educated. I know I still have more to grow and learn, but it was rewarding to take a moment to look at how far I had come in my renovation. In that before and after moment, I was grateful for the hard work and effort put into transforming that particular "room" in my life. I became excited to see what the others might become.
Before (moving into my dorm freshman year)
After (College Grad, what what)
Trust in the Lord
When it comes down to the times where you can't see the end result or are struggling with reno probs. Trust the contractor. He knows what's up even if you don't.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says:
"5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
I have no idea where I will be in life three months from now, but I know who does. I know that there's a greater plan. I trust those blueprints for me. I know my contractor knows what He's doing. I trust Him. I am excited to see the final before and after moment and realize that it was worth the "waite."
I'll let Elder Scott conclude this post.
"The Lord’s plan is to exalt you to live with Him and be greatly blessed. The rate at which you qualify is generally set by your capacity to mature, to grow, to love, and to give of yourself. He is preparing you to be a god. You cannot understand fully what that means, yet, He knows. As you trust Him, seek and follow His will, you will receive blessings that your finite mind cannot understand here on earth. Your Father in Heaven and His Holy Son know better than you what brings happiness. They have given you the plan of happiness. As you understand and follow it, happiness will be your blessing. As you willingly obey, receive, and honor the ordinances and covenants of that holy plan, you can have the greatest measure of satisfaction in this life." (Elder Richard G. Scott, "Trust In the Lord," 1995)
