Lessons from a Room

I've spent the past two days in this room, painting it from an ugly flourescent green to this camel color and looking out on this little garden area. My son-in-law and daughter purchased their first home and I'm visiting for a few days to help out with the painting.

But as I'm painting, I'm also praying. Praying that God would bless them in their new space. That they would recognize His hand in their daily lives. That their marriage would be blessed and that any future children they have would grow up feeling loved and safe.

I love to paint, but after doing it for long hard hours, there comes a moment of feeling completely overwhelmed and wanting to throw in the towel. But I pressed on, got mutiple second winds throughout the day and the finished result is beautiful. 

That's a lot like parenting or anything hard and yet, worthwhile in life, isn't it? It's long difficult work. It's exhausting at times and exhilirating at others. There are ugly moments when we want to give up and there are beautiful moments when all is right with the world. If we keep pressing on and showing up day after day, we see the beautiful end results. We experience the blessing of what was accomplished with God's help. It may not look like you thought it would in your head, but it's still a beautiful masterpiece.

I have another day of painting ahead before I head home tomorrow morning. I am thankful for the lessons from this room and I'm thankful God often reveals His truths to me through everyday experiences.