My mom came to pick up the kids a few days ago. Every few weeks she comes to get them, and they do some chores for my parents ~ dusting, sweeping, weed-pulling etc. Gives my folks a break, and my kids a little spending money.
When Mom got to my house, I asked her if she wanted to see the finished product of the armoire I distressed a few weeks ago. It’s all done, and in our bedroom where it belongs. And it looks pretty darn swell, if you ask me.
So I grinned a little when she saw it, because her comment was, “Huh… I thought that’s what it looked like before.” You might think that remark would bother me, because I put a fair amount of work into refinishing it, but it didn’t faze me at all.
First of all, I’m happy with it. I care what my sweetie thinks, because he has to live with it too, but it’s really not important to me what anyone else thinks. It’s all a matter of opinion. So if my mom is not impressed, that’s okay. Secondly, she wasn’t criticizing; she was just observing, so that’s fine.
But mostly I grinned because I imagined God hearing those exact same words. My mom wasn’t all that familiar with my armoire ~ she doesn’t spend a lot of time in my bedroom ~ and the change wasn’t noticeable enough for her. I know that piece of furniture well. I know what it used to look like; I know all the little places where it changed; and I know what it looks like now. And the changes may not be extreme, but it’s a better looking piece of furniture than it was.
God’s the same way with us. He is our Creator, and knows everything about us. He knows the places where we’re structurally weak, and where we just need some refinishing. He changes us and perfects us and sometimes it’s just a touch here or there. Maybe sometimes it’s not even enough for people in our lives to notice. But He knows. And it makes Him smile.
Light Expectations 