“I’ve never remodeled an old house, but I love to watch those fixer-upper programs on television. First, the host shows the prospective buyers a home that is in a pretty horrible state. He tells them to look beyond the ugly because it has stunning potential.
The buyers can see some obvious problems. They know going into the deal that the house needs to be repainted and re-floored— and for goodness’ sake! The 1970s called and wants its avocado-green kitchen back. The couple takes the risk and makes the purchase for pennies on the dollar.
Inevitably, after the renovations are underway, they find major structural issues that need to be addressed. The homeowners seem shocked that their fixer-upper truly needed more than cosmetic changes. Suddenly their investment looks more like a money pit. About midpoint during the show, they despair…only to cry tears of joy later when they see their home reborn. As it turns out, they were in the great hands of their master builder, and now they have the home they always dreamed of.
Hearts are like homes. Our hearts have doors and walls and rooms filled with every aspect of life. If you looked at mine in the past few years you would see the façade of one weary and worn woman doing her best to choose hope every day. As I began to write about hope and live out the truths God was teaching me, I saw real change in myself. Others did too. But, with every truth I applied, God revealed more work I needed to complete at a deeper heart level.
God has indeed met me in my mess, but my fixer-upper heart needed a complete remodel. My foundation had cracked under the weight of other people’s expectations, my walls were covered with to-do lists, and my wiring was outdated by the idea that I was responsible for everything. God was whispering to me. Really, it was more like a calling I could hear in the distance. It echoed louder as the days passed, but I had no clue where to begin the demolition process. I just knew the project was about to get messier.
Years ago I thought that once we passed through a trial or a test we moved on to the next thing. But lately I’ve begun to realize you don’t move on; you move inward. God just keeps putting his finger on an issue that needs deeper work because he cares that deeply. He has the good intention to not just do a temporary cosmetic fix. God wants a heart-level overhaul. He desires our maturity more than just our maintenance.
Maybe you can relate to the mess I’m talking about. You think you are doing pretty well because God has been doing business in one key area of your life. You honestly believe you are about to have a breakthrough when suddenly it feels more like a breakdown. I have found that the Master Builder of our lives is ever patient and thorough. We can find great confidence in this truth: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). ”
My friend, this is where I am today. I’m willing to work my way through this message and see where God leads. I’d love to have the honor of walking with you as well. **
If you are feeling like you are a bit fresh out of amazing and in need of a heart level overhaul, this is the message for you. Know that I’m praying for you. And Jesus will carry us to completion. He has promised us.
To find out more about Fresh Out of Amazing, go here.
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{**excerpt taken from Fresh Out of Amazing: Opening Your Heart to God’s Unexpected Invitation, available now}
16 Comments
This looks wonderful and is so true!
Yes!
Mom to 2 beautiful daughters here! I would love to have a book to read after I’m finished with “Hope for the weary mom”!
It’s my first week back to school and I already feel fresh out of amazing. So hard to balance mommy guilt and wife guilt and teacher guilt for not meeting every single need that seems to come my way these days.
I have the advanced readers copy and am (slowly) reading it - it’s wonderful! I would love to have another copy to give to a friend.
this is ME right now…I HOPE to win this book!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
I need dis
Would love to win this!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Can’t wait to read Fresh Out of Amazing!
Hope for the Weary Mom was wonderful.
Thank you!
I thoroughly enjoy all of your articles and share quite a few of them with my grown daughters. This one hit home more than the rest just because I’ve done some damage to my heart over my many years. Why is it that we tend to ignore God’s whispers and only react when he has to shout to get our attention?
Thanks for all you do to spread God’s word!!!
“You honestly believe you are about to have a breakthrough when suddenly it feels more like a breakdown.” Yes, me, ugh. Would love to win your new book.
Definitely feel like I am fresh out of amazing. Started working again part time after being a stay at home mom for the last 5 years and feel like by the time I get home I’ve got nothing left to give my kids.
This sounds like an amazing book!! I had a super tough year..but God got me through it..he is awesome!
So excited to read this book! Have felt fresh out of everything the last year or so…thanks for writing what God laid on your heart.
Amazing? I don’t think that I have ever been amazing. I’m sure that I am failing at being a mother, daughter, wife, and christian. Amazing is something I am not.