I have an oak board I found in our garage and I had an idea of making a sign out of it. It was rough in places but had great character and I thought it would look great in our living room. That was two, years ago, I think? This particular board was moved and lost several times so when I got it back recently, I was determined to make a sign.
I measured the board and custom ordered vinyl lettering and waited very impatiently for about two weeks for the vinyl to come in. When it finally did, I brought it home and I fidgeted with the letters for a while until I got the placement right. Eager to put it all together, I took some black electrical tape and secured the edges while I read the directions. And as I’m reading, I’m noticing the tape is not sticking. I tried more tape but to no avail. And I’m realizing if the tape isn’t sticking to the board, the vinyl won’t either. I am noticeably frustrated so my husband tries to offer some words of advice. And as he’s explaining the hard work that needs to be done to prep the board, I silently give up and make plans to put the vinyl directly on the wall. Where it’s meant to be. I put everything up and don’t think about it again.
Until I came home the next day and I see the board. Restored.
What was once rough and cracked, had been sanded. What was once faded, is now shinning. I had to turn it over to make sure it was the same board. It was. And I really couldn't believe it. Despite my giving up, my husband didn't. He knew what needed to be done. And he was able and willing to do the work.
And I pause.
Pause to see a representation of our marriage. What it looked like without Christ. A good idea but unusable. Held down with many things that didn't stick. Given up on. Silently put away.
"But God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20
Pausing today to give thanks for work. The work that only God could do. Complete restoration. The kind of work that makes you stop and do a double take. Because what was once dead, now lives. Because Christ is in the center of it. Where He’s meant to be. And I’m reminded that my God is a God of restoration who is always at work, even when I am not.
I measured the board and custom ordered vinyl lettering and waited very impatiently for about two weeks for the vinyl to come in. When it finally did, I brought it home and I fidgeted with the letters for a while until I got the placement right. Eager to put it all together, I took some black electrical tape and secured the edges while I read the directions. And as I’m reading, I’m noticing the tape is not sticking. I tried more tape but to no avail. And I’m realizing if the tape isn’t sticking to the board, the vinyl won’t either. I am noticeably frustrated so my husband tries to offer some words of advice. And as he’s explaining the hard work that needs to be done to prep the board, I silently give up and make plans to put the vinyl directly on the wall. Where it’s meant to be. I put everything up and don’t think about it again.
Until I came home the next day and I see the board. Restored.
What was once rough and cracked, had been sanded. What was once faded, is now shinning. I had to turn it over to make sure it was the same board. It was. And I really couldn't believe it. Despite my giving up, my husband didn't. He knew what needed to be done. And he was able and willing to do the work.
And I pause.
Pause to see a representation of our marriage. What it looked like without Christ. A good idea but unusable. Held down with many things that didn't stick. Given up on. Silently put away.
"But God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20
Pausing today to give thanks for work. The work that only God could do. Complete restoration. The kind of work that makes you stop and do a double take. Because what was once dead, now lives. Because Christ is in the center of it. Where He’s meant to be. And I’m reminded that my God is a God of restoration who is always at work, even when I am not.