I stared at the patch of mold growing along the door frame. Ugh. As I studied this bathroom I deeply sighed. Seventeen years. Seventeen years of showers. Seventeen years of three daughters using this room, everyday, multiple times a day to care for basic necessities. To ready for dances, church, school.
The paint was faded. A piece of trim was missing. The cabinet cover was peeling. The fan protested with each use. This room needed an overhaul. I had committed to doing much of the remodel. But I was not thrilled. This job required skills I didn’t possess. I was You-Tubing how-to’s and Googling information. I designed a plan. I ordered from Home Depot. I visited the paint store, emerging with the required materials to begin.
I played the local Christian radio station on my phone to make the experience more pleasurable. I tried not to think of all the things I would rather be doing or the writing projects with looming deadlines, mentally drafting the next outline.
I forced myself to slow the pace, keep my efforts neat. Not that anyone will inspect my paint job behind the toilet, but God knows if I covered the wall back there.
I often recited a verse to my daughters over the years, a verse that is a great reference when you really don’t feel like giving something your best: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV) I Corinthians 10:31 also encourages us that whatever we do, do for the glory of God.
As I repaired, painted and applied tools, I kept telling myself, ‘You are doing this for Jesus.’ And as I have instructed my girls growing up, when you have a family and you care for the needs of each member, you are serving Jesus. Somehow changing baby diapers came so much more easily than trying to be Miss Fix-it!
This week, though, I did take some pleasure in redecorating this almost completed room. Nothing extravagant. But things that mattered to me while incorporating the beach theme my daughters love. I found sea turtle-themed bathroom accessories that actually had Bible verses on them. Good job Amazon! And my most treasured detail is the wall hanging of a beach scene containing the Footprints verse. Each of these girls has already faced tough things in her young life. The fact that God promises to never leave or forsake us is already known to each one. That small rectangle is simply a reminder.
Do you ever have tasks on your to-do list that you know you need to just power through? How do you make them more palatable?
I have more home improvement projects on the horizon, and I know I need to keep in mind who I am ultimately serving. While my family and I will certainly benefit when these are finished, I am serving the Lord by completing these improvements. I need to stay positive, predetermine to do my best, and take joy in serving Him. Will you join me in prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know when I am staring down a task that doesn’t excite me. You know there are things that need accomplished just for living this life here, today. Please help me remember that I am doing these things for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.