Remodeling This House
Remodeling doesn’t always suggest that you need to tear down walls, many times remodeling can consist of cleaning out the junk.
Regardless of the condition of your house or size of your house, I could make a pretty accurate guess that your house, like all houses, could use a bit of remodeling. Remodeling doesn’t always suggest that you need to tear down walls, many times remodeling can consist of cleaning out the junk you have been storing for too long, rearranging what already exists, creating a house that is well functioning, well balanced to serve its purpose.
No, I am not talking about the house that the bank usually owns forever. I am talking about the house in which we truly dwell, our bodies. It is our body that houses us through this life. It is our body that houses our thoughts, our emotions, our mobility tools, and most importantly, it is the temple in which we carry our Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Remodeling Thoughts
A good portion of my own life was spent dwelling with thoughts, if only I could live in a different house, the beautiful house, the smart house, the perfect well-functioning house, then my life would be good. This form of thinking was very destructive to my house and I know that there are many other people that also live with this destructive attitude of discontentment. The truth is, even though the house that you are envious of may seem perfect on the outside, what may be hiding on the inside, could be reason for that house to be condemned.
God gave each of us a house, each beautiful and unique. He provided us with the book of instruction on how to care for our house and the tools required to maintain our house. Despite the instruction and tools that have been provided, many of us neglect taking care of our homes as we should.
Some of us work very hard making sure the physical appearance is in tip top shape, but have neglected cleaning out those dirty closets and too often sweep the dirt under the rug. In fact, it might be the house that is in tip topped shaped, who is quick to judge and isolate themselves from the house next door that is beginning to look a bit run down, with thoughts, “They are not taking care of their temple!” Our temple includes our brain, our thought process and how we behave. Yes, many of us are in need of some much needed remodeling.
Later: More Time
Too often we say, I will get to those repairs later when there is more time. Later generally comes much sooner than we are prepared for, leaving us to wish we would have had more hindsight. That hindsight is looking at you now, straight in the face, asking you, what do you see in your personal life right now that could use some remodeling?
We become overwhelmed with the list of things that need attention and work, wondering how do I even begin? If you think of your body as a building, then you know that before you start the process of reconstruction, there are things that you must do before you start the process of demolition.
Look at your house and determine where you are right now? What is it that needs to be changed, what is it right now that you are happy with? You are not going to tear down what is already good, but you do want to create a home that is well balanced, each room, your mind, your body, and your Spirit enhancing the other, each functioning at its greatest potential.
Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchen remodeling is a room many of us would like to afford, and often the major core, the heart of our homes. When deciding that this is the room you would like to remodel first, you will come up with some ideas, envisioning what your dream kitchen would look like, how it will function.
Now that you have your dream in place, what is your next step? Do you take out the sledge hammer and start the demolition? You certainly can, however I would suggest, that without proper planning, you are going to have a huge chaotic mess of debris and broken dishes, smashed pots and pans and more than likely a nasty aroma of rotten food lingering throughout the rest of your house!
The first step to proper planning is to take those ideas that you have envisioned, and turn them into goals. You will need to set those goals into a strong foundation, they need to be carved into the stone. Write them down! Now you actually have something good to work with, goals!
The word that often keeps us living in the same old dreary, unworkable house and kitchen, is work! The very thought of the work process involved in changing our lives, changing our home, usually creates fear. We fear the work because we fear the commitments required in the working process. As we get started on the demolition aspect of remodeling, we know that we are going to face some struggles, some chaos, and most of all, we will be removed from our immediate comfort zones.
Worth It?
Is all this work really worth it? My Brother and his family recently remodeled their kitchen. It was too small, boxed in, and it had no counter or cabinet space. Being a very active family and one that also does a great deal of entertaining, the kitchen was not functioning well with their lifestyle.
When they decided to go for it, and have the kitchen remodeled, putting forth those goals into action, the chaos began. Yes, they did hire professionals to assist them in their planning and design, professionals to do the actual demolition and reconstruction. But, from the moment they made the commitment to do this, their work also began.
A make shift kitchen was created on the covered back patio. Moving the refrigerator to the patio, setting up some folding tables, the microwave, and food storage shelves, their new kitchen was formed. They had to remove everything from their existing kitchen, sort out those things in which would no longer be needed or wanted, store those items which were worthy of keeping. Many hours of work and preparation was involved, working with the contractors, shopping for new counters, cabinets, hardware, appliances, etc. None of this was an overnight process, they lived with their make shift patio kitchen for several months, often dining on micro waved meals served in paper China.
The work now complete, they have a beautiful well-functioning kitchen that has been opened up, providing more space, easier access for the family and entertaining. Yes, the process was work, but good results come from good hard work. They are very happy with their choice and enjoy what the new kitchen now brings to their home, family and friends.
Stepping Stones
Regardless of what ever changes you wish to make in your house, your life, you must always begin in taking the necessary steps. One stepping stone at a time, creates the path for walking in success.
Stepping Stone number 1)
Set those goals!
You must first create the solid foundation. Carve those goals into the stone, write them down! You will never find a more solid of a rock, a foundation already poured by our savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:24-27 Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Stepping Stone number 2)
Make that list!
Make an assessment of your goals, determining what is needed to turn them into action. Make a list of the actions needed to make it so.
Stepping Stone number 3)
Make that commitment!
Commit to do the work necessary to achieve. Without commitment, it is not going to happen.
Stepping Stone number 4)
Start shopping!
Seek out the necessary help you may need to get the demolition started and help you to rebuild. Pull in the resources of supportive friends, family and church members. Perhaps hire professionals, fitness trainers, life coaches, financial planners, etc. Shop your church or surrounding churches that may offer supportive ministries to your changes. We may have been gifted in many things, but not one of us can do all things, seek the help that you need.
Stepping Stone number 5)
De-clutter your space!
Before you can bring in what is new, you must rid yourself of the clutter that is causing you hindrance and preventing change.
An example, if your goal is weight loss, sort through your cabinets and shelves, remove items that prevent you from moving forward and cause great temptation. Donate usable food items to your local church or food bank. Toss that opened bag of chips into the trash! Make a list, go shopping and replace your life with healthier choices. Do not buy into the thought process, “I can’t afford to eat healthy!” Fact is, eating a healthy well-balanced diet is much cheaper than not!
Stepping Stone number 6)
Prioritize and Rearrange!
Is there a piece of furniture in your house that may look pretty but is not functional? Perhaps it is time to re-prioritize what needs to be stored. Make room for that unused tread mill or stationary bike and make it functional, use it!
Stepping Stone number 7)
Reevaluate Personal Relationships!
If you are finding that your current support system is only supporting negative habits and thoughts, then it is time to reevaluate that system and make some necessary changes.
This may be one of your most difficult challenges, but a necessary one to overcome. Tossing out your loved ones is certainly not recommended nor suggested. However, you may need to toss out your own thought process of how you allow yourself to be influenced, manipulated and controlled.
Be Positive
Most of us do have certain people in our lives that we go to for confirmation, seeking approval and acceptance. Unfortunately, not all of these people offer the positive reinforcement that we need, shooting down our dreams, our goals, and our passions. At this point, instead of reevaluating the relationship, we begin our own process of self-doubt. Take a moment to reevaluate, to love them, to pray for them, but do not share with them the things that you know will only destroy what you are building.
Do not be harsh on those that have been negative in your life. Perhaps their negativity towards you stems simply from the fact that they have heard you talk too much, but never have they seen you walk the talk. You may be quite surprised at those, whom you thought were never supportive, become supportive when they actually see they have good reason to be.
New Friendships
Also keep in mind, that often we continue relationships with certain people in our lives simply because they become our easy enablers. For instance, if dependency of alcohol is an issue in your life that you are seeking to change, seeking out the friends at your frequently visited local pub or bar, is not the place you need to be. Your desire for such friendships generally is determined by your mutual interest in common, to enable that particular lifestyle. This would be the time to seek out new friendships, those that are now living in recovery and truly want to help you to recover and rebuild your life.
Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ
You may need to seek out new supporters, new friends, those that can vision and see, those that live in faith, those that walk the talk and believe that all things are possible, even change is possible for you and your house!
Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “`If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
