The Transformation

For some reason, I had difficulty sleeping last night. When I did, I had a very vivid dream. In my dream I was in the middle of our home that was in an absolute wreck around me. I was in the process of remodeling. All I could see was the chaos. I had a hard time moving without bumping into some obstacle. A workman had left the water running in the bathtub upstairs so that water was dripping through the ceiling into the living room! When I spoke up about the probem, I was made to feel guilty for the bathroom being located above the living room. What a dream!

 
I began to reflect on a home remodeling project. The homeowner may have an idea what the "perfect" home could look like, but may not have full knowledge of design, color schemes, fabrics, and available upgrades. Also, he or she may not have the tools, raw materials, and the know-how to make the desired changes. Skilled professionals have the expertise the homeowner can rely on. Often, the old construction or furnishings need to be removed to make way for the new. 

 

Photo by Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash 

This is somewhat like my life. In a way, I am being "remodeled," created in the image of God and hopefully becoming more and more like Jesus. God has a definite plan for my life, but I don't always see it. What I do see more easily, and experience, are the problems I am dealing with, and the pain those problems cause. I seem to bump into unexpected obstacles when I move forward with decisions I make. Sometimes I feel unfairly blamed when I haven't tried to offend anyone.

When I rely on myself to be the one totally in control of the process of becoming the person God intends me to be, I fail. His plans for me are more than I can even possibly imagine. My natural talents and abilities are good and helpful, but so very limited. Like a homeowner who calls on a professional designer, I call upon my Designer. I am inspired by the vision of the Holy Spirit. As the remodeling happens, some of my usual habits need to be removed to make way for a new way of accomplishing things. When I look at the problems around me, I can trust the Master Builder is able to make use of all of it to create something beautiful. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

The transformation is a process. "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phllippians 1:6.  Amen.

Mighty Mustard Seeds

I was driving home yesterday after doing errands. I began to think of the many people who had helped me that morning. There was the teller at the bank who cashed checks for me. There was the tire guy who added air to my tires that had lost pressure. A woman checked out my groceries and another put them into bags. A teen boy held a door open for me. A postal worker weighed my envelopes for the correct amount of postage. All these actions were done pleasantly and with smiles. I realized that I truly appreciated these kind actions.

I am readily grateful for the major things people have done for me, like the time our basement flooded and neighbors came to the rescue. Or when our car broke down on the highway and AAA was there to help. The daily smaller acts of kindness, however, I frequently take for granted. And I became more aware of the many "little things" I can do intentionally to help others.

This morning I read in the Magnificat: "Out of the nothingness of something as meager as a mustard seed, greateness springs." The acts of kindness I experienced are like mustard seeds that made my day go much more smoothly and have inspired me to do likewise. I may not be able bring about major accomplishments to change our world for the better, but I can do good works to help another's day go more smoothly. I can actually look for these opportunities. May my small acts of kindness bring forth much good fruit.

Photo by Avinash Kumar on Unsplash

Let us not become weary in doing good, 
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest 
if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9