Renovation & Renewal

Please, fellow moms, tell me I’m not the only one.   

I can’t be the only one whose house needs to get “aired out” and let a warm breeze whip through my screens. Tell me I’m not the only one feeling the urge to add pops of greens and yellows around my house to add a little color to distract me from the gray/white slush of the world outside my window. Please tell me I’m not the only one who cringes when school is cancelled for another 'snow day' because I know my beautiful children will wander around the house proclaiming, 'I'm bored, mom, I'm bored...' because the snow is lovely and fun for a few hours but they can only be cooped up for so long.

In these times when I’m feeling the need for change and something to uplift the heaviness that has settled on my shoulders after the 25th straight week of snow (I’m exaggerating, but seriously), I turn to scripture and one of my favorite verses comes to mind... 'Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ Psalm 51:10. God’s in the renovation business. He takes what’s old and broken down and transforms it into something incredible. If you have an area of your life that needs some renewal, He’s more than ready to meet you where you are.

Though I know God is always there for continual guidance and inspiration, I still find myself blown away and humbled by His timing. For putting the right people in my path at opportune times, providing nudges of opportunity for spiritual and personal growth, and simple things like placing beautiful, encouraging words right where I’ll see them.  It was this message I most needed this week as the winter winds circled and whipped around our home. 

I pondered those words, reflected on what my life was in need of renewal, and got down to the business at hand.  From room to room through my home I wandered, gathering knick-knacks and stray children’s socks, dusting and organizing and REFRESHING space after space. From the storage room I drug out the spring decor... and after a few trips to my favorite local home stores... Eye Candy Refind, Mama's Happy & Home Goods (of course) I began to work, time seemed to suspend and I lost myself in the moment.  In the purpose of the job at hand. In the purity of renewal. 

When the moment had passed, and I stood back to assess my work, the scripture passage made its way back into the forefront of my thoughts: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  

 For the rest of the day, it seemed I was wearing rose-colored glasses.  I had more patience with those beautiful children of mine, my home felt less heavy with clutter and more calming for my soul, my mind was abuzz with creativity and ideas for my next project poured from my mind to the nearest piece of scrap paper I could get my hands on (which after that organizing spree were located right where they were supposed to be!).  God had taken my hand and shown me the way last week.  When I sought his advice, he met me where I was and gave me the spark needed to take matters into my own hands to get things done.  One thing led to another and another, and soon He had renewed not only my physical home, but the home of my steadfast spirit: my mind. 

I encourage you, fellow moms, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with the piles of kids' artwork and bills and the undone laundry and Christmas décor you meant to stow away weeks ago, to look for small signs and ask God to renew YOUR steadfast spirit.  As the passage reminds us, God is in the renovation business, and he wants to see you build and grow and change and THRIVE through your own strength and actions.  But it’s up to you to take the first step and seek His guidance.  The spirit will lead you, and the afterglow of the moment will leave ready to welcome the next season of your life…or just the next season.  We’ll welcome the warm sunshine and daffodil shoots anytime. 

xoxo, allison