They say that on the list of life’s most stressful events is moving house. I would add to this list the stress of doing a home renovation while still living in the home! After almost 35 years of living at the same address, our home needed a major tidy up. To accomplish this, we had to put together a plan, employ various tradespeople and then move everything out so the walls could be painted, floors re-surfaced and kitchen updated. Little did we know how big the task would be.
Initially, there was great excitement as the old kitchen was pulled out and our family set to work on removing our belongings from our home. We studied the schedule the builders had given us and proceeded to arrange our lives around it. We set up a camp kitchen on the back deck and mattresses on the floor which could be quickly moved as the schedule demanded. But then came the delays and the realisation we would not be able to sleep in the house while the work was being done. Friends kindly offered us a bed at their homes, but the logistics of managing tradespeople and our other commitments meant we returned home and set up our tent in the backyard.
After about four months of juggling the renovation with all of life’s other commitments, I announced to my loved ones that this was all a bit overwhelming and that I was thoroughly exhausted. And they agreed!
However, during my prayer time, God, who I believe recognised my sense of exhaustion, provided me with two quotes that really helped me through this season of chaos.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:26-27 NRSVCE)
“Let us think only of spending the present day well. Then, when tomorrow shall have come, it will be called TODAY, and then, we will think about it.” (St Francis de Sales)
There are many things in life that are much more stressful than a home renovation – illness, death, poverty, war and loneliness, just to name a few. As you read this reflection, maybe you are experiencing a time of feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. I invite you to share these feelings with God in prayer. If you aren’t sure of what to say, keep it simple. You could try something like:
“God, I’m feeling overwhelmed today. Please help me to get through this day. Amen.”
And, be assured, God will help.
Image: Lightstock
Words: Sharon Brewer