On Friday a new garage door was installed at our house. I’ve been very excited about the new door arriving. We’ve been looking forward to replacing the door for a long time. It was OLD. And It creaked and moaned every time we used it. For the last month or so, I’ve actually worried that it might fall down, right out of the ceiling.
When the installer arrived, I opened our garage. As he walked in, the garage door made all of its tired noises and he said, “This is a terrible door.” And all I could do was nod. There was nothing else to be said. The process of putting up the garage door turned out to be a little more complicated than expected and it took him quite a while. Once he was finished and gone, I went outside to look over the door.
Now, I have to tell you, in case you don’t know: Our house is currently brown cedar siding and brown brick. Because we have painted Michael’s shop in the backyard from a palette of blues, we are also planning to side the house (maybe in the next year or two?) and paint it from the same palette. So, based on what we know is going to happen in the future, we chose a white garage door.
That’s right – the door is white, surrounded completely by brown.
As I stood in our driveway I had this overwhelming desire to put a sign in the yard that said, “Not finished yet.” I don’t want folks to think this is the final look we’re going for – there’s more to come! But I didn’t do it.
It is true that I need that sign, and not just outside my house. Personally, as a believer, I am a work in progress – and I’m nowhere near the finish – God is still at work. Worse, it seems to be taking a LONG time. Unending home remodeling projects have nothing on my heart’s renovations!
What I do know is that He is at work! Sometimes it is really painful – sometimes it is a joy. But it is happening! The thing is, often what’s going on in my life can seem unusual or awkward because I don’t see the outcome. In my own human imaginations it is hard to figure out what the current crisis is about, until it is over.
But, I can wait with confidence. He has planned the renovations from beginning to end – He promises He won’t quit until the work in my life is complete. And, guess what? Even as I am in process, I can give grace to others, knowing that their hearts are under contract too.
Philippians 1: 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2: 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
So, when you come to my house for a visit, and it looks a little unusual from the ongoing projects, maybe we can agree to remember- we are all not finished yet!
daily portion 