Life through the Ultimate Lens

(See end of post for awesome giveaway!)

The cyclical story of my life (and maybe for all of us?) seems to be “My Plan versus God’s.”  Seriously, if I had a dime for every time I say or think, “That was not how I thought that would go,” I’d be a rich girl!

Before we got rid of cable TV, our family loved watching the show “Fixer Upper.”  We would watch tours of some ugly houses, wondering which one each couple would take a risk on, and then marvel at Joanna’s ability to see something extraordinary out of the haze of outdated paneling and shag carpet.  And finally, we’d be awed by her ability (with the help of Chip) to throw some shiplap, hard wood floors and a new table or island by Clint into a magical pot and POOF!  The most amazing home would appear, leaving us in amazement…and maybe just a tad bit of jealousyJ.

Even before Joanna Gaines came into my life, I found myself fishing through thrift stores and Craigslist, delighting to find an old piece of furniture to repurpose with some chalk paint and new hardware.  There’s just something about seeing junk turn into a jewel. For some reason I can see this in furniture.  When it comes to my personal life, that “x-ray” vision often eludes me.

I recently read a new book by my friend Cristy Maddox (Chronic Blessings) in which she describes her experience of having to use a wheelchair on a family theme park adventure due to the nature of her chronic illness.   She thought she was prepared for the inevitable, but when the wheelchair arrived at her home, she basically was frustrated that this ugly, nuisance of a thing had to be her reality.  It hit WAY too close to home for me…

A couple of years ago, we had to invest in a camera system for the family living spaces of our home.  Not for security, but to protect some of our kids from themselves.  Because of the trauma they faced early in life, there were behaviors that could emotionally hurt themselves or others.  The cameras gave an accountability and a back-up to our inability to be everywhere at once, enabling us to give the care needed to raise these precious, hurting hearts.

The day the cameras came in, my hubs spent hours going around the house hallways and main rooms installing them.  Upon completion, he called me in to see the final product.  Nothing prepared me for what I would feel in that moment.  For, as I looked up at these instruments that would help us tremendously, and that I knew were in the best interests of my children, I began to cry. 

Cords were running down the wall to the nearest outlets, plaguing my already bad decorating skills.   Not even Joanna and Chip could make this look “shabby chic,” “vintage,” or “French country.”  Ya’ll, they were flipping ugly.  And I was heart-broken.  That this had to be a part of my reality.  That my “reality” wasn’t like everyone else’s. 

In her book, Cristy does something that blew me away – not because it was “novel,” but because being hopeful and creative in discouraging situations takes some serious JESUS.  She decided to flood her wheelchair with scripture!  Which in turn led me to an amazing idea that puts my disappointment back into perspective every time I glare at see those cameras.  Now there are cute little “Joanna-would-approve” chalkboards hanging from each camera containing priceless truths from scripture that I have the right, as a child of God, to claim over the circumstances those cameras represent.  In keeping His Truth clearly in front of me,  I have a constant reminder that my hope in is in the Word of God! 

Now I’m more likely to go to belief-mode instead of defeat-mode. 

From focusing on the “junk” to focusing on the “jewel” it will become. 

From beauty to ashes.

Seeing life through the ultimate and unchanging lens of God’s Word.

“…suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character, HOPE. And HOPE does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:3-5)

NOW FOR THE FUN PART! One blessed reader will be getting their own autographed copy of Cristy’s book, “Chronic Blessings“! To qualify, leave a comment (found at top of post), or share on your fav social media! Easy as pie! Winner will be announced on Friday, May 17!