I think I used to somewhat deceive myself that once my three children flew the coup, my house would be a more organized residence.
What a joke.
The reality I have had to face a long time ago (and Bob has patiently and lovingly embraced this with my other idiosyncrasies) is that I am a “messy girl”. Now, add our big, black dog to that mix, and my fur-covered carpet and floors just underscore that truth.
By contrast, everywhere my folks go, improves. Amazingly. They are both from the builder generation, and are themselves two of the most disciplined and selfless people you could hope to find.
For example, we had dogs growing up, too. I recently asked Mom about that, and she said there was always dog hair around…but I don’t even remember it. Of course not. Because Mom’s house was CLEAN!
If something needed fixing in our home/garage/yard/car, it wasn’t long before Dad got it done. And if it didn’t need fixing, just “upgrading”, well, that happened as well. Many times it was per my father’s own design, and/or by his own hand and skill.
They have worked side-by-side planning and building lots of others things also. Years ago, one of the folks’ projects was a little cabin up north. I’ve seen some of the “before” photos, and I’ve been privileged to partake in the “afterglow” of their efforts. Things were always—always—better when they left than when they first showed up. But it didn’t happen until they arrived on the scene and “set up house” inside. And they made it a place we wanted to come “home” to, not just because of how nice it was, but because they were there.
Which gives me pause to consider this:
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
So here is a description of a hugely powerful “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” God whose courts and presence are worthy of swooning over, yet whose gentleness gives enough confidence to a lowly sparrow to nest her young. His place of residence must be not only amazingly beautiful, but warmly inviting.
Now here’s the punch line:
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?…”
In other words, that whole “how lovely is Your dwelling place” can, in part (in a LARGE part), be applied to each of Jesus’ followers. Right now. It doesn’t really matter what state of construction we may be in at the time, because it’s His indwelling that makes all the difference. He already sees the finished plan in His heart, (like Mom and Dad did on paper), while His Spirit is hammering away.
Say it again: As a follower of Jesus, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies dwells in you, and therefore, you are His LOVELY dwelling place. Don’t contradict this Contractor.
So let the chips fly. ‘Cuz when the dust settles, it’ll be a sight to behold.
(PS- Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!! I love you!!)
Psalm 84:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:19 Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Powerful tribute to your parents, Dawn! I’m a messy girl too…one day things will be different, but not this day…lol.
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They are very, very special people. Thanks for joining the celebration by reading this!!
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Tell your parents not only did they build a home, they also built a daughter. Maybe more than one. You knocked me about with His temple being in me. I really should take better care of it.
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You are such an encouragement to me! They truly are builders, as you are.
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Wow a good analogy you worked up to the point that we are temples of God. Happy Anniversary to your Parents!
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Both in their 80’s and going strong. Thank you!
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Wow praise God! That’s awesome!
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Artistically presented. God is the Lord of order. Even in areas we may not see order, it is because of the perspective from which we see.
This temple of God must be treated as He desires.
Happy anniversary to your parents.
More of Lord Jesus to you.
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Order! Yes! That’s it. His picture is the full one, and part of the challenge is to remember that! Thank you!
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Thanks be to Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Unquenchable thirst for creative expression. Yes. That. Let’s call it that.
Until you went and brought up that whole “temple of the Holy Spirit” thing… (grumpy face)
But then again, He KNOWS who I am, and CHOOSES to abide with me. And you’re right, He has a plan – a GIANT remodel. So what if my life looks more like the back-side of the embroidery than the front. One day He’ll flip it around and everyone will go WOW and that WOW won’t be about me – it will be about Him!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Stuff to chew on and encouragement for my heart 🙂
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Okay, so I’m cutting and pasting part of your fabulous comment into my file of “Quotes from Cyberspace”. A dubious honor, I know, but still… Thanks so much for this!!
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PS, do you still have a blog? I can’t find it!
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How odd! Here’s the address:
https://theexcitementplandotcom.wordpress.com/
(Maybe this is why my views dropped off abruptly a while ago! WordPress, where have you put my blog? ) 🙂
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Thanks. Please check your gravatar profile because when I click on that, it says the site no longer exists!!
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Gahhh!! Thanks for the heads-up!
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I see it now. Your gravatar has left off the “dotcom” before the wordpress.com/ part. Check it out so people can follow you easier.
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Thank you so much!!
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