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Chill Hours

If you have been following my blog this year you know that we have been refurbishing Popes Museum, the home of artist Laura Pope Forester. Many of my blogs have been about the lessons I have been taught on this journey. There was the discovery of an heirloom rose under the briar bushes and wild wisteria. This winter I found 10 (yes 10!) more of the roses crouched beneath the kudzu we removed. The following month there was the discovery of the expansive patio buried beneath load after load of dirt.

Most of these delights happened in the bloom of spring. Lovely. It was then, as it is today, a site for all the senses.

The Japanese Magnolias are magnificently hued a vibrant pink; the lingunstem permeates the air with a heady perfume; and the red and yellow finches are playing tag as they sing among the camillas.

It is another perfect day for me to learn an object lesson.

Tucked away among the nandina hedges, I found green shoots–a type of lily–peeking out of the ground. At least 50 of them are popping up willy nilly beneath the autumn-colored foliage we noticed for the first time since purchasing this historic home. Here we have our mystery.

Was I so overwhelmed with other aspects of the house that I missed them during the prior spring? While that is possible, it seems unlikely that I overlooked dozens and dozens of bulb shoots within a 10 foot space. Perhaps it was the severity of the winter we endured, with its many hours spent below freezing, that caused the lilies to pop out? Many flowering bulbs require large amounts of cold before they will push green shoots out from the cold, dark ground. Landscapers call those hours “Chill hours,” and they are necessary for a plant to regulate its growth. This option seems more likely than “I missed them.”

Perhaps that is your story too…Is this season one that you spend feeling mired in a chilly, dark place? Perhaps the Father knows that it is necessary for your growth.

This season, we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. While giving honor and full thanksgiving to His redemptive work on the cross, it is His power over death that causes us to worship Him as God. We know the story of Easter now, but those three days between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection were dark, cold and lonely. Yet, they are just as much a part of the story as Christmas or the Transfiguration. There were things accomplished in that time. The pieces of the story of the Son of God were being put in place while He was in the tomb experiencing “chill hours”.

Sometimes, we too need chill hours for God to work His plan within us. They are not a form of punishment–they are a time for Him to put in place the pieces needed for His perfect plan. As you celebrate new life in Christ; as you see the fields turn green; as you watch the buds blossom; remember, that just a few weeks prior, we were below freezing. We were experiencing our chill hours. When your life feels that way, know that Sunday, with all its glory, is just around the corner.

(2) “…Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb (3) and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’ (4) But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away…”

-Mark 16:2-4

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If the Ceiling has Urine Stains, Is God Involved?

It has been a tough last few weeks on the Popes Store remodeling journey… Or has it?

Here are the facts. While putting in a ceiling fan we found the original 1900s “knob – and – tube” (K&T) wiring …still in use.

We also found parts of it with raw wire exposed due to the squirrels chewing into our house, making nests in our soffits, and eating through the antique wiring.

(Side note: People that “foster care” these rats with furry tails baffle me. They destroy cars and houses. They carry disease. They eat songbird eggs. Why are we bottle feeding them?) In order to remove this dangerous wiring, we removed the ceiling and were surprised to find water stains in the under layment of the fireplace ceiling. No, the roof never leaked. It seems prior renters locked up dogs upstairs for way too long and hence the stains on my ceiling. O…M…G…

Yesterday our beloved contractor went into the attic to examine our water heater because it was not giving more than four minutes of hot water. He found it alright. Leaking too. Forty gallons of water about to bust through our main bedroom ceiling. And if that is not enough, right beside the leaking water heater he found a naked 220 volt wire with electricity running through it. That’s right … a hot wire beside a leaking water heater.

Just to recap: Last week I found out I had to rewire major portions of the house, remove urine stains and residue from the main living area, battle a rodent problem, and replace the hot water heater. Oh — and the kitchen/laundry that was begun a few weeks ago is not being touched because this is more pressing. None of that is news a new homeowner wants to hear.

This was how my week could have ended. Let’s put the time travel bus in reverse and see the same story differently.

As Dan’s stamina increases, he goes about the business of providing us with a safe home. While installing a ceiling fan in the children’s bedroom, he uncovered dangerous, 100-year-old wiring. We reprioritze our activites and replace all of it. Hence, the wiring danger is resolved and our home is not a fire hazard any more. Problem solved.

The K&T wiring was even more dangerous because the covering of it was chewed off by rodents who became squatters in our home while it was vacant. But there is another angle: Squirrels are not an endangered species and removal of them is possible and even tasty in an economic crises. Little known fact – they do taste like chicken. I KNOW. They may not be manna or quail from heaven, but they are an option. Now they won’t bother my pecan grove. Problem solved.

While replacing the K&T wiring, we removed the ceiling of the downstairs instead of the flooring on the second floor. This kept the second-story original heart pine flooring intact. This is great news. And even though finding urine stains on the ceiling is shocking, it really is ok … we need new ceilings and will now install recessed lighting to brighten up the space. This is going to be so much better than before. Problem Solved.

Lastly while my friend/contractor had a few minutes, he checked out a concern I had about the water heater’s efficiency. Thank God he heard my concern and investigated it before the water ruined the south side of the house or worse, mixed with the live wire and caused a loss of life. Thank God he stopped working on the kitchen to make my home safe and sound before putting in cabinets and the washer and dryer.

It is shocking how one shift in thinking can affect my attitude (get it? “shocking”?). These are the same set of facts, but a different point of view. When stepping back and revisiting these facts I get a more accurate portrayal of God’s view. While this is my journey of remodeling an old home, it is also a journey to see if I trust Him in the details as much as the whole vision.

What about you and your facts? I am not suggesting that we pretend or faith-talk away our difficult situations. That is the stuff late night tv makes fun of. I am suggesting that we ask for a more accurate view of the facts … God’s view. As Ann Voskamp reminds us in One Thousand Gifts, gratitude changes us. The simple realization of gratitude as it washes over our wounds is more impactful than a changed circumstance.

 

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Patio Ponderings (1 of 3)

I uncovered a patio this month. Literally, that is what I found — a 33×24 foot patio. After years of dirt piling upon it, this gem of an outdoor room is now uncovered and in use in these perfect Georgia spring days and nights. Shaped like a swollen crescent moon, it was designed in a basket-weave pattern with space for a centerpiece (more than likely one of Laura Pope Foresterś Statues). When in season, it is edged by petite bell flowers that remind me of lily-of-the-valley blooms.

All this was unknown to me when I purchased this property. Amazing. Something that I will love to use to relax with family and friends was always there; it just required faith, a vision for the unexpected, and intentional effort.

It required faith — faith to dig; faith to scrape; faith to invest sweat equity. Faith to see what was not easily seen before.

Lord give me eyes to see the beauty under the dirt.

This is my prayer not just for my patio, but for my husband when he goes to his ¨nothing zone¨; for my sister when she overreacts and infects others; for my daughter when she insists on having the final word in every disciplinary moment; for the business worker when he has a reason why he cannot pull his weight. LORD, give me eyes to see the beauty under the dirt…and to lovingly and tenderly clean it off without destroying the beautiful pattern you have made.

LORD, give us each eyes to see the treasure that you have placed in each of us, even if buried under wheelbarrows of dirt.

To Be Continued..

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Patio Ponderings (2 of 3)

If you have been following my blogs you know that I began uncovering a 33 x 24 foot patio:

Going from winter to spring in this yard, I noticed a precise edging of delicate bulb flowers buds poking out in late February. Then these green shoots bore petite bell shaped flowers. Additionally an occasional brick would peek out within the border of the flowers from under the muck-esp after a rainstorm.

I wondered if…. I thought maybe… I checked it out.

Acting in faith, I pulled out the pressure washer and using 2700 and 2.4 gallons per minute blew so hard on the occasional exposed brick that chunks of naturally created sod would lift up 4-6 inches in the air. Underneath layers of weeds and inches of dirt was a lovingly and well thought out red brick patio!

All my other projects seemed inconsequential as the vision took shape. As I took a flat head shovel and scraped wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of dirt, gradually a lovely outdoor room was uncovered. Out came the pressure washer again, and more wheelbarrows of loam rich Georgia topsoil would find its way into large flower pots, holes in my yard and areas where earlier only clay or sand could be seen. ( It was a win-win for all parts of my yard and plants.)

Doing this type of rote manual labor has its side effects. Stronger arms, farmers´ tan, sore back…and thinking. Lots of thinking about an obvious point with not so obvious indications for my life-and maybe for yours.

  • That patio did not get covered in dirt overnight.
  • That patio did not have seeds sprout on that dirt and grass anchor its roots in it overnight.
  • That patio did not have nails, broken glass and shards of pottery sprinkled on it in one overnight event.

It was not intentionally altered;
it was unintentionally neglected.

Unintentional neglect has created more opportunities for loss than intentional abuse.

Just like the patio was covered in dirt, weeds and trash due to neglect, so does my life when I unintentionally neglect vital areas.

  • Neglecting to purpose actively towards my financial future by expecting that things will work out if I just’ have enough faith’.
  • Neglecting to care for my health, whether that be missing another session at the gym or getting that uncomfortable test done.
  • Neglecting to listen and encourage my husband, forgetting that we are a team to bear one another’s burdens daily
  • Neglecting to attend to my responsibility and privilege to intentionally and actively disciple my children, not just keep them safe, clean and fed.

As I loaded up wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow (did I mention it was 28 loads) I was reminded that today I can neglect what matters and watch weeds and time ebb away at the beauty and true purpose of life, or I can purpose within my heart to intentionally build a life of beauty and rest.

Proverbs 14:1a The wise woman builds her house…

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Patio Ponderings (3 of 3)

The patio is done for now.

Yes I am aware of the dips and puddles in it.

Yes, I am aware that some bricks have to be relaid.

Yes, I am aware that the yard is 2¨ higher than the entire patio.

These things will be addressed at a later time. Although I see these issues, I am more aware that they do not matter for today´s enjoyment.

Why would I want to wait to delight in it only after it is perfect? I am ready to enjoy it now, not when it is perfect. It is enough for now.

Mmm..God understands this concept. He may be perfect, but His creation, specifically me, is not. He is conforming me to the image of His son, but not waiting to enjoy me until this completion has occurred. God does not treat me that way. He enjoys me, flaws and all.

He is aware that, like the patio, I have puddles where self-centeredness gathers.

He is aware that He needs to realign some crooked priorities.

He is aware that, just like the yard beside the bricks, I need my faith in Him raised.

He will address these things in His time. Right now He enjoys me, not waiting to delight in me until I am perfect. If the eternal and timeless God enjoys His creation now with our flaws.

Let’s rest in that.

Let´s live in that.

Let’s live like that.

Today enjoy something, or better yet, someone. Just delight in now. It is enough.

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Bones and Remodeling

Scattered over our main house are sinks, light fixtures, and cabinets. There are giant holes in walls and tools throughout the main living spaces. My phone is ringing perpetually and my driveway is getting more traffic than it has in years. Yes indeed, remodeling has started. The permits have been signed; the phone calls have been made; and the work has begun. It is all here.

What is missing is a perfectly clear vision of the finished product. But that does not shake me. There is an expectation. There is a hope.

Although the exact picture of what each room will be is blurry, the vision of what to do and how to do it will be given to me as I need it. This is true even when there are unexpected events and findings. While we only started a few days ago, we have already had some “findings” that were certainly unexpected.

  1. Finding animal bones in the wall. Decent sized ones. Picked clean. Eww!!
  2. Realizing that the plumbing boot in the roof has been leaking and pouring in the bathroom. What a mess!
  3. Hearing that the partial wall we hoped to remove is a load bearing wall. There goes that idea.

Even with these surprises, I have excitement and anticipation for the future finished product. We know that we will end with a clean, comfortable, historic home with both modern conveniences and artistic significance. We have a hope.

Hope is a word that is not mentioned much anymore. We need to bring it back to the forefront of our vocabulary, especially when dealing with people.

Why is it easier to believe that my house will be changed, than it is for me to believe that difficult people in my life can change? Or that I can change?

Why do I struggle with seeing the vision of a ‘remodel’ in people?

If we were sitting together over coffee, would we speak together words that encourage us to hope? Would we pray for that vision?

If we do not believe that people can be remodeled,

why are we praying for them at all?

Change is messy and surprises come up. This is true whether you are dealing with an older home, a difficult team member, a challenging season of parenting (are there any that are NOT challenging?), or aging parents.

  • We all have animal bones in our past. Whether they are our choices or those of our family members, we all have skeletons in our closet.
  • We all have hidden damage from abuse or neglect like the rotten plumbing.
  • We all have dreams that need to be adjusted like the wall in my kitchen.

My contractor and I have been spending a lot of time together discussing this house known as Popes Store Museum. He showed me the bones, the rotten wall, and the structure of the kitchen foundation. Spending time with him built the hope up. The Master Builder, who specializes in people, does the same with me. As I sit and spend time with Him, surrounded by exposed plumbing, appliances in boxes, and an array of furniture out of place, I will remember that He is able to remodel me and those in my environment into something that is beautiful and useful.

I will hope in the remodel.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Ephesians 4:22-24

 

 

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Embers of Truth

We purchased this 1894 house only 6 months ago. While my husband and I plan on raising our family here in what we hope will become a generational home, it is more than just our physical dwelling. Likewise, it is more than a source of economic potential and community pride for the area. It is a tool that has inspired me to see people as the greatest source of potential for building a community. It is also a warning not to abuse such potential. Such is the story of the fireplace.

Upon walking into the home through the original French doors, you can see a fireplace encased by a hand-hewn mantle with a beautiful mirror above it. According to the local folks as well as the articles I have read, Laura had, not only an artistic gift, but a tangy sense of humor that revealed itself in this room. Laura Pope Foresterś husband was a Justice of the Peace; therefore, many weddings were officiated here. Prior to the beginning of the ceremony, Laura would ask the bride and groom to gaze into the mirror “at their last look at freedom.” (Comic relief or truth? Mmm…a blog for another day.) The mirror and mantle are still in great shape. Unfortunately, the fireplace is not. At all. But it does remind me of a truth that shapes my behavior.

When we bought the home, we found clothes and cardboard partially burned and stuffed up inside the chimney. Yes, I am serious.

While a chimney is obviously a place to burn things, it is not the same as a burning trash barrel. The interior box is ruined and the actual bricks must come completely down. There is a lesson here:

When you use something in a way that was not intended, abuse and damage happens.

It is the same with people. When I expect someone to act or to live in a way that was not intended, neglect (at best ) and abuse (at worst) is the natural result. For example: When I forget that my children are not meant to act like adults–rather, they are going to naturally act like silly, immature children–I am bound to lose my temper with them. When I expect my husband to satisfy all of my emotional and spiritual needs, I am bound to see him as a failing husband and treat him poorly if he does not fulfill my unrealistic demands. When I expect anything from my job other than an income, I am bound to be disappointed and therefore negatively adjust my job performance. When I expect the church to gratify my needs instead of equipping me to go out and impact my culture for Christ, I can imagine that my church is failing me.

The bottom line is this:

Damage happens when I expect something or someone to act in a way that does not coincide with their original purpose.

Let’s reexamine our relationships and discover how to treat them as they are supposed to be treated instead of transferring our trash or burning our burdens into them.

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Thrilled by the rosebush until…

Does anyone else get excited by finding something unexpected? Something of value found for the first time’? I found 2 rosebushes hidden under a blanket of neglect, but finding them cost me something. That got me thinking: Do our hearts beat harder at what will be a stunning rosebush, or do we get angry at the scrapes from the thorns we weren’t expecting?

Let me explain: If you have been following my earlier posts, you know that we just purchased a an 1899 antebellum plantation house that has been vacant and/or neglected for years. Purchasing the home of Laura Pope Forester, a south GA folk artist from the early 20th century, has made me cognizant of our impact on the people and spaces in our lives. Her artwork, which included her home and gardens as well as her statuary, was featured in magazines, postcards and other vehicles of the press for decades. While originally 1,600 acres, it is now 6 acres of pecans, magnolias, dogwoods, and cedar trees…and invasive weeds and bushes.

Having purchased these 6 acres of amazing potential (code word for an overgrown and out of control yard) , my family spent the weekend with chain saws, clippers, gloves, water bottles and more. After 30+ man hours, our cracked knuckles and farmer’s tanned arms revealed we were there, but the acreage did not tell the same story. Ho hum…how do you eat an elephant? I know…one bite at a time…but I digress.

While clipping along, cutting weeds that identify with wrestlers on steroids, battling brambles that literally ripped through my favorite pair of Levis, and gathering enough trash to fill up Hefty bags that football teams would be able to use for arm curls, I found beautiful rosebush leaves almost smothered out from the sun and cut off from all room to grow.

Eureka!

Not one to be daunted by some puny, unwelcome plants (yes, I know that this is a direct conflict to what I just said, but work with me here…it’s a rosebush–probably 90 years old, alright?), I dived in with pruners and trimmers. Subsequently, I came up looking like I’d gotten into a fight with a tom cat in a KFC trash bin.

Ouch! This time I moved in more slowly and thoughtfully, taking in the surroundings and learning and listening to what I saw.

The rosebush was still healthy. Why? Perhaps because it was planted with thoughtfulness and intention of the present and the future. Do I make choices with the same wisdom?

The rosebush was nearly overwhelmed with things that did not belong there–plants that had encroached on its space. Is that true of my life too?

The rosebush was overwhelmed with the pressures of its environment and needed outside help to survive. Do I recognize when I am in over my head and accept help with grace and gratitude?

The rosebush needed to be cut back–way back–in order to get rid of leggy, unproductive stems. This would create a plant that blooms prolific flowers instead of just scraggly, thorny branches with occasional bud.s What areas of life am I cutting back–even way back–in order to create a fragrant aroma for the Master Gardener?

These are some of the thoughts that were twisting and turning through my mind while I cut and pulled brambles, and trimmed and pulled thorns out of my gloves. When I walked away that late afternoon, there was no beautiful rosebush with climbing tendrils to show for my investment of skin and sweat. There was only this pile of rubbish and the rose that looked maligned and abused.

Yet, I saw what it was meant to be–what it can be; what it will be. Was I willing to pay the cost to allow it to become what it was created and planted to be? Then the final epiphany came to me:

This is exactly what God has done for each of us and why He has done it.

His heart beats in thrill as He looks at us, just like mine did when I found the hidden leaves. He took thorns and more because He knows what we are meant to be, what we can be and what we will be. By working in my life, even when there will be no immediate flowers or fruit, He demonstrates His faithfulness to us, but also His faith in us.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6