We've been preparing our basement to become a playroom for the kids. We've taken it to a higher standard than originally planned - I'm thankful that Scott has a "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well" attitude! However that also means it's taken more resources than we had originally thought, and we started out with very little to begin with.
It was a leap of faith to start. Plenty of other demands on our time and money, but the need for a safe place for the kids to play (no fence around are yard) and somewhere to run around in the winter (other than my living room!!) was weighing on us. Couple that with a strong desire to invite people into our home and build relationships, and needing somewhere kids can play without tearing up the bedrooms, and we asked God to back us in this endeavor, committing to use it for his glory too.
And back us he did. Much of the material we needed was donated by various tradesmen Scott works with (huge testimony to the heart of my husband in connecting with people!), and I don't mean scrap - decent stuff! He worked on it when he could often after 6 day weeks, and then after church.
As Christmas approached the kids were asking more frequently when it would be ready, stars in their eyes dreaming of this space for themselves! And the dream of mine to have it ready for Christmas, to re-organize the house so that they have room in their rooms etc, just loomed large!
Scott handled the pressure [from me] with grace and continued to work as hard as he could. I can admit I've been increasingly panicked and stressed out about the timing of all this! With the carpet coming Tuesday our backs are against the wall. Sunday after church we called on some friends who stepped in to help, but there was still more to do. That just leaves today, to finish everything up and then get the gifts wrapped because tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and we have church and who knows how much time left.
So it's the day before Christmas Eve, a Monday. (Remember we asked God to help us with this project.) We both had work today, so it's all going to be after bedtime - not a lot of time. Then Scott texts me this morning: "Pastor Bob is going over to the house this afternoon to paint." PB is one of the best painters we know. Today is also his day off, after preaching two services yesterday, and preparing to preach two tomorrow night! There's not many people who would make time to help a friend in that way, much less at the busiest time of year (did I mention our church administrator is away?!!). What a HUGE blessing.
No one likes to have their back against a wall, facing huge odds and no visible way of making it. But it is in those times that we are able to see when God shows up.
How appropriate to have such a vivid demonstration at Christmas.
It was a leap of faith to start. Plenty of other demands on our time and money, but the need for a safe place for the kids to play (no fence around are yard) and somewhere to run around in the winter (other than my living room!!) was weighing on us. Couple that with a strong desire to invite people into our home and build relationships, and needing somewhere kids can play without tearing up the bedrooms, and we asked God to back us in this endeavor, committing to use it for his glory too.
And back us he did. Much of the material we needed was donated by various tradesmen Scott works with (huge testimony to the heart of my husband in connecting with people!), and I don't mean scrap - decent stuff! He worked on it when he could often after 6 day weeks, and then after church.
As Christmas approached the kids were asking more frequently when it would be ready, stars in their eyes dreaming of this space for themselves! And the dream of mine to have it ready for Christmas, to re-organize the house so that they have room in their rooms etc, just loomed large!
Scott handled the pressure [from me] with grace and continued to work as hard as he could. I can admit I've been increasingly panicked and stressed out about the timing of all this! With the carpet coming Tuesday our backs are against the wall. Sunday after church we called on some friends who stepped in to help, but there was still more to do. That just leaves today, to finish everything up and then get the gifts wrapped because tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and we have church and who knows how much time left.
So it's the day before Christmas Eve, a Monday. (Remember we asked God to help us with this project.) We both had work today, so it's all going to be after bedtime - not a lot of time. Then Scott texts me this morning: "Pastor Bob is going over to the house this afternoon to paint." PB is one of the best painters we know. Today is also his day off, after preaching two services yesterday, and preparing to preach two tomorrow night! There's not many people who would make time to help a friend in that way, much less at the busiest time of year (did I mention our church administrator is away?!!). What a HUGE blessing.
No one likes to have their back against a wall, facing huge odds and no visible way of making it. But it is in those times that we are able to see when God shows up.
How appropriate to have such a vivid demonstration at Christmas.
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