Under Construction
I was asked by a relative to look into a problem he had with his RV trailer floor. He told me that when he stepped on a particular spot on the floor it seemed spongy and weak. Floors are meant to be strong and stable as they are foundational to any structure. Spongy is not good. When I went into the RV, I applied pressure with my foot to the area of concern. It was obvious that there was a problem. My suspicion was that it was probably not a minor problem either. To further examine, I pulled the carpet away from that area of the floor. With one look, I said out loud, “Oh No”!!
The plywood beneath the carpet was discolored and soaking wet. The area of concern was larger than the noted initial “soft spot.” I continued probing the floor to determine how broad the damage was. The more I examined, a sick feeling of dread intensified in my stomach.
I reported my initial findings of the damage to my family member. His response was matter of fact. “Do whatever you need to do to repair it.” He had confidence and vision this problem was not terminal and could be repaired to original condition.
I knew this was not going to be a quick and easy fix; this was going to be a marathon project. I then mustered courage and committed myself to do what needed to be done in bringing restoration to a once, very valuable, and useful RV.
Over the years, this vehicle had served its owners well. It was very functional and provided countless hours of safe, enjoyable housing. A lot of life was lived between those walls. Now, it desperately needed help. It could not restore itself. Someone needed to have vision that it could be used again as it was designed. The damage to this mobile home could have warranted disposal but hope and vision held its future in hand. The necessary process of restoration must take place, or it would be of little to no use again.
This removal of rotten floor stringers and plywood flooring went on for many days. Each time I thought that I had eliminated all of the wood rot, I discovered more, and still more wood that had turned to mush. This exploration and discovery was frustrating, discouraging, and seemingly never-ending. The damage was extensive. It extended into the slide out extension and through most of the living room/kitchen floor.
Honestly, there were times that I had wished I had not offered to work on this project. It was much more difficult than I anticipated, especially now as a senior citizen carpenter. I battled with poor attitudes and regret, but I was grateful for the income and opportunity to serve my family.
The reconstruction was more expensive than anticipated. It required me to practice construction skills that I did not enjoy. However, this project was God’s reminder to take care of the small steady drips of water before total reconstruction is required.
Most people look fine on the surface because carpet (and other things) can cover over serious internal underlying issues. It’s possible that we may not be aware that issues even exist until pressure is applied. Once things are discovered, we are faced with the choice to ignore, avoid, and procrastinate, or we can muster the courage to roll up the sleeves of our heart and yield to the greatest restorer of all, The Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. God never abandons the process of restoring someone. He is master of the full restoration. He begins every restoration project with full completion in mind.
The many lessons learned in this reconstruction experience will be shared in future devotions. Today, I am simply introducing you to hope. Hope is the bright expectation for tomorrow. If you have or are discovering brokenness, weakness or flaws in your personal life, spiritual or otherwise, there is hope. When your heart feels overwhelmed with the anticipated restoration project, there is hope.
1 Jn.3:20 “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
When Jesus hung on the cross and uttered the words, “it is finished”, those word’s did not mean hope vanished. At that moment, Hope was born. The way for the restoration of relationship with God and man took place. That was finished for all eternity. He is not finished with you. In fact, the process of complete restoration has begun, and God is faithful to complete what He has begun. Phil. 1:6
His love does not tire or quit! His grace, unmerited favor, never disappears! Our frail and sinful issues have always been seen. He knows who we are and of what we are made. Jesus came to this earth to restore people’s lives. Loving restoration requires loving reconstruction.
“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isa.53:5
The plywood beneath the carpet was discolored and soaking wet. The area of concern was larger than the noted initial “soft spot.” I continued probing the floor to determine how broad the damage was. The more I examined, a sick feeling of dread intensified in my stomach.
I reported my initial findings of the damage to my family member. His response was matter of fact. “Do whatever you need to do to repair it.” He had confidence and vision this problem was not terminal and could be repaired to original condition.
I knew this was not going to be a quick and easy fix; this was going to be a marathon project. I then mustered courage and committed myself to do what needed to be done in bringing restoration to a once, very valuable, and useful RV.
Over the years, this vehicle had served its owners well. It was very functional and provided countless hours of safe, enjoyable housing. A lot of life was lived between those walls. Now, it desperately needed help. It could not restore itself. Someone needed to have vision that it could be used again as it was designed. The damage to this mobile home could have warranted disposal but hope and vision held its future in hand. The necessary process of restoration must take place, or it would be of little to no use again.
This removal of rotten floor stringers and plywood flooring went on for many days. Each time I thought that I had eliminated all of the wood rot, I discovered more, and still more wood that had turned to mush. This exploration and discovery was frustrating, discouraging, and seemingly never-ending. The damage was extensive. It extended into the slide out extension and through most of the living room/kitchen floor.
Honestly, there were times that I had wished I had not offered to work on this project. It was much more difficult than I anticipated, especially now as a senior citizen carpenter. I battled with poor attitudes and regret, but I was grateful for the income and opportunity to serve my family.
The reconstruction was more expensive than anticipated. It required me to practice construction skills that I did not enjoy. However, this project was God’s reminder to take care of the small steady drips of water before total reconstruction is required.
Most people look fine on the surface because carpet (and other things) can cover over serious internal underlying issues. It’s possible that we may not be aware that issues even exist until pressure is applied. Once things are discovered, we are faced with the choice to ignore, avoid, and procrastinate, or we can muster the courage to roll up the sleeves of our heart and yield to the greatest restorer of all, The Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. God never abandons the process of restoring someone. He is master of the full restoration. He begins every restoration project with full completion in mind.
The many lessons learned in this reconstruction experience will be shared in future devotions. Today, I am simply introducing you to hope. Hope is the bright expectation for tomorrow. If you have or are discovering brokenness, weakness or flaws in your personal life, spiritual or otherwise, there is hope. When your heart feels overwhelmed with the anticipated restoration project, there is hope.
1 Jn.3:20 “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
When Jesus hung on the cross and uttered the words, “it is finished”, those word’s did not mean hope vanished. At that moment, Hope was born. The way for the restoration of relationship with God and man took place. That was finished for all eternity. He is not finished with you. In fact, the process of complete restoration has begun, and God is faithful to complete what He has begun. Phil. 1:6
His love does not tire or quit! His grace, unmerited favor, never disappears! Our frail and sinful issues have always been seen. He knows who we are and of what we are made. Jesus came to this earth to restore people’s lives. Loving restoration requires loving reconstruction.
“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isa.53:5
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