(Article first written in 2003. We have now lived at our current address almost 12 years. My, how time flies!)
Every once in a while I binge and purge. That's right. I binge with house
decor. For a brief period (and Chuck is glad it is brief or we'd all go mad), I
go zany with creativity. I begin to look at every room in the house through new
eyes. I see walls glowing with color, adorned with my own framed and matted
nature photographs. I see furniture taking on new possibilities if only
rearranged.
I purge closets, drawers, corners, shelves, and anything else I can
uncover. Suddenly, I am frantic to toss, pitch, burn, destroy, and give away
what I now consider useless or unnecessary items.
Thank God for these binging and purging times in my life, because if I did
not have them, I'd never be motivated to get anything done. I'm going through
one of those times right now, and I'm so glad it has happened in the dead of
winter because my renewed desire to tackle some home projects is giving me
increased purpose until spring arrives and I can finally garden.
You see, I am just itching to get out there in my barren flower bed and
begin turning the soil and tossing in additives to enrich the dirt. We just
moved last May, and this particular bed is a project that spans the length of
our neighbor's fence--some 15 or so feet. Not only will I be unearthing dirt
that has not previously been worked, by the looks of it, but most likely I will
also be unearthing back pain, blisters, and sore muscles. But that goes with
the territory.
None of that daunts my spirit, because I know with the downside comes the
upside--the warm spring sun on my face, cheerful bird chirps as a backdrop, the
fulfillment that wells up from within after toiling so hard and long and
finally witnessing that first green shoot poke its head out of the ground. Ah,
I can't wait. But, alas, I must. So in the meantime, I paint a bedroom that
needs a fresh splash of lemon fizz color, purchase a brass headboard, new
sheets, quilt and ruffle, and go to town decorating. What an uplift to finish a
project, step back, and relish in a job well-done. Then I pull out my gardening
magazines and gather ideas. Dream by the fire. Draw sketches. And wait. There
is something therapeutic even in the dreaming and waiting.
I hope you have a dream today that stirs your blood. Maybe it's that
unfinished quilt buried in the bottom of your closet that needs a bit more
stitching before you turn it over to a grandchild. Perhaps, it's an outreach to
that lost neighbor who you've been wanting to invite over for coffee or tea.
Whatever it is, make plans today to realize your dream! With God's help, make
it happen!
God gives us dreams to help us navigate life's transitions. Listen to your
heart and the Spirit's voice and then get moving. There's work to be done.
Before you know it, winter will be past and spring will be in full bloom.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Life is an accomplishment. Each moment has a meaning and you must use it.
Life is given to you like a flat piece of land and everything has to be done. I
hope that when I'm finished, my piece of land will be a beautiful garden.
-Jeanne Moreau, actress and director, on becoming the first woman
inducted into France's Academy of Fine Arts
Eileen Rife, author of Laughing
with Lily, speaks to women’s groups, encouraging them to discover who they
are in Christ and what part they play in His amazing story! www.eileenrife.com, www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com
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