Every
so often, I enjoy browsing through Christian Book
Stores just to read their wall hangings. It draws me
to worship. Yet, no matter how beautiful, either
the color or wood tone doesn't coordinate with my home
furnishings. Thus, coming home empty handed is
the norm.
Through the course of
conversation, a friend gave me the idea to frame my
poetry. What a Godsend! There is a way to
decorate my house as a testimony for God after all!
For the next few months,
every piece of paper caught my attention - from cards
with framed messages (making beautiful borders) to
designed stationery (for backgrounds) to picture
posters (creating otherwise more expensive large wall
hangings). Each and every creation is one of a
kind. There's even a grouping of family photos,
with one frame out in front that says, "Our
God Reigns". My house is growing to be a
visible expression of my heart. Isn't God
wonderful!?!
However, there was just one
snag (an object lesson, if you will).
In purchasing a picture of a
temple garden with doves; no verse, poem, or saying
had been included. It needed something more to
mark its' religious significance. Not having
before realized; doves are no longer easy to find in
the stores. My husband helped search until we
found enough pieces to complete a wall, shelf, and
table grouping.
A poem was to set in the
midst, to tie this grouping together. More than
a half dozen changes in the framed poem occurred
before I was satisfied with its' wording. Then,
the materials used in the frame changed more times
than I can count. It was a chore ever coming to
the place that poem, fonts, paper, ink, color,
background, and frame all worked together like
it should. Eventually, the right combination
came together that left that feeling of 'awe,
perfect'. Concluding that this framed creation
was never going to get any better than that, I vowed
to never touch it again. Finally!!! I was
glad that was over!
Then one day, while on
vacation, I came across a gorgeous handcrafted
Canadian resin dove frame. It was twice what I
wanted to pay. How could I be sure if it were a
perfect match, being several states away? After
having labored over the decision, I concluded that I
might not get another chance for a frame like this
again.
Once home, I set the frame
with the grouping to see how it might look.
Still uncertain, after hesitation, I took apart my
framed work, transferred it to the new frame, then set
it in place of the original. Awe! PERFECT!
It was BEAUTIFUL!!! How could that be!?! I
always thought the feeling of 'awe, perfect' was God's
way of saying something is just right/complete/as it
was meant to be.
"How could that be,
God?"
He answered, "See.
My 'PERFECT' is even better than yours."
And, yes, I did 'see' the difference.
I think God gave me that
object lesson as a way of sharing with people
something I'd already learned, Except the Lord build
the house, those who build are laboring in vain
(Ps.127:1). His 'PERFECT' is better than the
very best we can do. All our righteousness is as
filthy rags until God begins to live through us;
trading in our knowledge, thoughts, beliefs, talents,
abilities, creativity for His. 'Awe' to know
Him! His ways are always 'PERFECT'!!! And,
if we'd just let God build our house and His, they'd
both be 'PERFECT', too.
