Restoration and Reconstruction

There is a lot of reconstruction happening in my life right now, both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. We are currently remodeling our kitchen. It wasn’t something

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we were pursuing, but it’s something God dropped in our laps. I know, crazy, right? I was definitely dreaming of the day I might have a new kitchen. But, being the frugal type, I was hoping it would happen some day, you know, maybe 20 years from now when I’m nearing retirement. A smashing good deal on brand new cabinets from a relative in the construction business and a refi with a lower interest rate and, well, suddenly, it’s happening. Of course I’m excited for the changes and improvements and I’m simultaneously stressed. Things have been thrown into utter chaos. I
currently have appliances in my living room. A makeshift cooking area (Read: microwave) is also set up in my living room. The coffee maker is in the bathroom, which is also where I’ve been doing the dishes. Yep, it’s gross.
The Lord showed me that these thoughts are very similar to what I’m going through personal and spiritually as well. I’m longing for better. Praying for better. Not sure when better might come. It’s been a looooonnnnnggggg wait. But it’s time.

In our physical house, here is what’s happening…The house is well over 100 years old and a lot of cosmetic fixes, veneer and “bandaids” have been added to make things livable. After a lot of years of doing that, the kitchen started to look like a cover up gone wrong. There’s only so long you can camouflage dilapidated exterior on top of crummy construction. You know, like a big pimple you’re trying to hide. Covering it up in most cases just makes it look worse. When we removed the cabinets, we were disgusted to find lots of mouse poop. It was hidden underneath. The critters got on the top of the lower cabinets, but underneath the countertop. We couldn’t see the poop, it was well hidden, but it was there nonetheless. Yuck!

In my spiritual life, here’s what’s happening…A lot of stripping away. Gutting. Getting down to the bones; the framework. Reinforcing and restoring what is salvageable. Reconstruction of what has been ripped out. Sweeping out the crap. Getting real. Choosing to move into chaos in order to make room for something better.
The definition for restore is to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor. Restoration means complete reconstruction. Exactly what I need in every area of my life.
God, I ask you to tear down every broken thing in me. Tear it all down to the studs to build again. Anything constructed by my own efforts must be demoed. Carpenter, Jesus, I invite Your restoration and reconstruction. Holy Spirit, I’m thankful to have your help. Lord, I ask for patience and long suffering during this arduous process. Sustain and strengthen me. Thank you that you make all things new (Rev. 21). Please bring beauty from the ashes (Is. 63) and restore what the locusts have eaten (Joel 2).
There are three songs I have been listening to in this season. The first song is Build My Life. This version is sung by Pat Barrett: Build My Life
The second is an African American spiritual from the early 1900s redone by Cindy Morgan
called, “Working on a Building” which can be found here: Working On a Building
The third song is “Order, Disorder, Reorder”, anew song by Jason Gray, which can be found here: Order, Disorder, Reorder