Restoration
Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself. ~C.S. Lewis
To be honest, if God asked, most of my life I’d have been content to be made into a decent little cottage. I was willing to see what I showed. From all appearances, it seemed to be a neat and tidy place with a leak or two and a few cracks in the plaster. But He saw the neglect; the rot and the decay I continued to putty and paint over.
He walked among the shards of promises unmet and unkept. He stepped into the wreckage of my self-worth and neglected gifts and piece by piece began the work of rebuilding. He didn’t bring in a bulldozer. That would have been my vote. Instead He took upon Himself the tedious task of restoration.
There have been times when I thought the pain was too heavy for these weak walls, but in those moments, God always added a support beam. Board by board and brick by brick, He’s rebuilding His dwelling, true to the original schematics.
That’s grace.
33 Responses to “Restoration”
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Dear Time-traveler –
Wow! You had to go back a ways to find this one.
As you know, I’m particularly fond of C.S. Lewis.
The worry in quoting him is knowing that I can’t begin to do justice to his words.
Thank for your kind words and re-blogging.
I’m so touched that you would do that.
love and grace to you dear Judi,
~ Debbie
Reblogged this on It's not really about me… and commented:
The image – the words – the hope of His promise. A great post.
For some more great writings – check the links on the right.
where is your BRAVO button?
<3
Debbie, you’ve done it again. The beauty and simplicity in your words never fail to touch my heart. I so look forward to your posts, and praise God that you decided to start this blog, and that I found you. Thank you, dear friend, for always speaking from your heart. You are such a blessing.
Dear Drusilla-
What an absolutely lovely thing to say. Thank you so very much.
Warmly,
~ Debbie
Loved this Deb! This last year it seems a lot of my walls got knocked down. I am not sure if I’m through the wrecking process yet but as Sister Pat says I know God is in control. As long as He is whether I’m in construction or deconstruction I call it good! http://pttyann.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/gods-got-it-all-in-control/
Dear Pastor J –
With the right Contractor, construction or deconstruction, it’s all good, you’re right!
~ Debbie
‘There have been times when I thought the pain was too heavy for these weak walls, but in those moments, God always added a support beam. ‘
Thank you AGAIN for hitting me where I live or rather, need to live. This is True. It ALWAYS is.
XO Jen
Jen –
The weight is just to great to carry on our own. I surely tried hard enough, long enough.
When I was pregnant, I never had a single cup of coffee or even an ibuprofen, in spite of headaches, hemorrhoids etc.
I was proudly sharing this with my OB/GYN when he just shook his head and said: “Debbie, you don’t get any extra points for being a martyr”.
Hmm…
We are designed to need some support. It’s the plan. God support, people support and sometimes, some coffee.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers, dear Jen,
~ Debbie
Excellent Debbie, you are so good at delivering a point in so few words. Thank you my friend.
Greg -`
Thank you, kind friend!
The best decision I made when I began this blog was to limit myself to posts that can be read in 2 minutes. I was a public speaker for 25 years – believe me, I can go on and on…
~ Debbie
And it would be good!
Greg – <3
I nominate you for Blog Pastor, Blog Priestess, and all things Wise and Wonderful (Harper nominates you for All things Great and Small, course Henry votes as well).Every time i read your post (late or not … in Iowa again) … i feel like God is speaking to me. Sometimes i swear he brings a wrecking ball though. That’s me not looking for the wagging tail. Love and honors my sweet Deb to the third
LOVE mel
dear mel-
Following Caddo lead, that would make me Debbie BP BP WW
You’re too kind, dear friend.
I haven’t had much internet at night, so I’m out of touch.
I hope your travels to IA and back were safe. I”ll check in on you when the traffic slows down.
love and peace and grace in abundance,
~ Debbie
I’ve always been drawn to the word restoration and the beauty it hints out. The beauty of making things right. But it’s harder to apply to myself. Yes, pulling the rotted boards out can cause injury. But none that arent healed by the restorer himself. And the support beams? Couldn’t be a successful restoration without them.
Debby –
Thank you for being a beam in my life!
I started this blog with 6 readers 9 months ago. You’ve not only read every post, but prayed for and encouraged me on so many levels!
love and grace to you,
~ Debbie
Debbie
What beautiful thoughts and writing
I am being restored also – to think Almighty God is rebuilding my little life
It just takes my breath away
God Bless!
susie
Susie –
I don’t adequately grasp that – His love should take my breath away, every day.
Thank you, my friend,
~ Debbie
Very good analogies. Enjoyed.
chasing the perfect moment –
Thank you.
This truly was “the house that Jack built”.
I just added a bit of trim.:D
~ Debbie
“There have been times when I thought the pain was too heavy for these weak walls, but in those moments, God always added a support beam.”
My particular pain is fear and depression. He has added support beams for me in the form of doing the Steps of AA. He has given me so much joy in living. I, too, was voting for the bulldozer. “just get me out of here” was my thought. What did I know? Not much.
I love this metaphor and the picture is moving, just like your words. Thank you for this.
Hello Heidi!
Kari has been gracious to share her photos with me. Hopefully, I always remember to put her name in the tags when I use them.
I’m so grateful that God, in His great grace, saw beyond the wreckage and chose restoration over a wrecking ball – for both of us!
Thank you for your candor and your caring.
~ Debbie
Again, I really liked the C. S. Lewis. I don’t know why I’ve neglected him for some forty years. And, your personal application was very elegant. Thanks again.
Lew –
Your comments touch my heart.
Thank you,
~ Debbie
WOW, and WOW. So well done, Debbie–a beautiful visual, and so personally meaningful. I remember a few years back–pre-miraculous deliverance and 1st Best Easter–I told my former pastor that I believed God was doing a reconstruction project in my life. And then I was bummed, when the house didn’t immediately get completed. I now think that He did the initial work then–made it habitable so I could at least put a cot and chair in there–and now the “finish” work is being done, step by step, so that it’s beginning to shape up pretty good! At some point, it will be that palace C S Lewis mentioned– And like you, I always thought a cottage would be fine–but God likes to go all out!! Bless you, Sis–have a great week! sis Caddo, PG, SG
Sis Caddo . . .I am loving the initials behind your name! KInda like MD and RN, only better. ( no offense MD’s and RN”s ! ) <3
Yeah, I was gonna mention that it’s nice to have “credentials” I didn’t have to slave in school to get!! Who knew Sisters could provide that, too!!!
Debbie – Well, you know our friend Caddo received her SG at your place and the PG here. No telling how many letters she’ll add in a few more months!!
That girls on a roll!
Hello dear Caddo!
God certainly needed more room to stretch out here! I’m like the Winchester House,never finished (maybe I’ll write about that – thank for the prompt)!
love and blessing to you, too, my sister with many letters after her name!
~ Debbie
So, so beautiful and well put, gracious one! That is grace indeed. I remember a time when I thought, “I’m doing okay”. Then I came to see and understand that He didn’t want me to just be “okay”. He wanted more for me. And the work began. . . love and prayers and hugs! – the other deb
What’s on your juke box tonight?
p.s. aub’s in the tub , singing, ” to see You high and lifted up, shining in the light of Your glory . . .”
Hello dear Deb –
He wants more for us than we want for ourselves – and that’s saying a lot, isn’t it?
I have to be honest – at the time you wrote this we were entering into a wild stormy night and my brain was stuck on Billy Joel’s Storm Front.
However,after I saw your comment on my phone (lost internet) that Aub was singing High and Lifted Up, I changed my tune!
You can tell her thank you for me!
~ Debbie