By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures. – Proverbs 23:3-4
Like I have said before, there is still so much to share from our epic vacation with the grandchildren. And I will absolutely get to it right away (probably Monday for the Niagara River Class-6 Rapids post, or maybe not until Tuesday because church this morning was so powerful).
At the same time there are parallel stories going on. All worthy of consideration here in this ongoing on-line journal. Because we are back in Tarboro, both with our church family and in the middle of our extensive home renovation project. For today, let’s take a look at the house on Saint Patrick Street.
There has been a lot happening while we were away. The electrician has started work, most of the exterior scraping has been done, the plumber has been busy, a few interior walls have been painted, the carpenter has been working on repair to the siding, the kitchen cabinet guy has finalized his quote and – notably – the mason has been hard at work on the foundation as well as the steps into the front of the house.
So much work. So much still to be accomplished. Such a strong message about revival and renovation and restoration.
I especially like the idea of restoration because it assumes not only fixing what needs to be fixed but also putting things right; restoration is a word that invites renewal and wholeness and a path forward that involves not only healing but relationship.
The photograph of the rear of the house (above) shows some of the scraping and the repair. It also shows how much there is that still needs to be done. The concrete stairs along with the extra door will be demolished and removed, as will the concrete pad.
To me this speaks to the completeness of what is going on. But also to the fact that renewal – that reformation – is an ongoing state of being. We can never sit still and say that we are done, because our faith and our love of life requires challenge as well as demolition and rebuilding and healing and restoration….
Stay tuned for some inspiration from the Sunday morning worship service – probably Monday. Also stay tuned for more from our epic vacation travels, as well as up-to-the-moment check-ins from the house on Saint Patrick Street.
Peace – and renewal – DEREK