If ugly was a deciding point, we would have turned and run.
The house rose before us in a hideous jumble of mismatched parts and overrun vegetation.
As we toured the neglected structure, it was apparent the previous owners had left it pretty much circa 1980 and let the termites run wild. The front door frame had a twelve by four inch termite run etched into the veneer. Ick!
Tentatively inching our way across matted brown carpet, we rounded the corner and stopped with a gasp.
Then an incredulous laugh—
“Are you kidding me?”
The real weirdness showed up in full regalia.
An addition had been put on the back of the house probably twenty years ago, but the exterior windows that were now inside the house were never removed. And still slicing up the view were the exterior sliding glass doors from the “new” dining room to the “new” breakfast room.
Call us crazy—
We bought it anyway.
But you know…
Amazing results happen from a fresh coat of paint, a lot of cleaning supplies and the removal of ancient stained carpet.
The house began to grin.
But still those awful exterior windows and glass doors in the middle of the house mocked us every time we walked by.
So next on our agenda?
Demolition.
Remove those awful windows and sliding glass doors.
Sledge hammers to action.
Open concept here we come.
Done.
The old house breathed a sigh of relief, shedding it’s thirty-five years of wear like a well needed face-lift.
I felt it grinning from ear to ear.
No matter how good the rest of my house looks, if I ignore the old eyesores and refuse to remove the blemish, my final product will always be tainted.
Jealousy.
Pride.
Anger.
Stinginess.
Unfaithfulness.
An unforgiving heart.
I’m thankful my ugly doesn’t make God turn and run.
Somehow he sticks around and loves me anyway.
Even when I hang on to my stinkin thinkin.
Even when redemption seems impossible.
Even when redemption seems too good to be true.
He.
Never.
Gives.
Up.
On.
Me.
**************
2 Tim 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
-What are you having a hard time letting go of?
-Write it down then tear it up and pray.