Building My Home: Step 1

Now, I'm no expert on building a house, literally or otherwise, but I'm pretty sure that one of the first things you'll want to do is make sure that the builder - the person who will be given the responsibility of building your house - is 1) available, 2) capable and, 3) willing.

One of our life dreams is to one day build our own custom house. I want a wrap around porch surrounded by an English-style garden. My kitchen will be the largest room in the house and my dining table will seat 12 (because I'm hoping for a lot of grandchildren). I can see dark wood floors and warm cream-colored walls. I envision a walk-in shower in the master bedroom surrounded by cool grey stone and my feet standing on bright turquoise glass tiles. Oh, and I'll definitely need to have a library with floor to ceiling bookshelves and a large rustic table that sits right in the middle of the room. Ahhh... isn't dreaming so much fun? Considering all my "plans" I better start dreaming up a pretty good builder too!

I know that God has dreamed up the same kind of plans for me and my home. He sees what he wants my home to look like too. And it's beyond anything I could ever imagine. That's the truth. But you see, His builder needs to get it together. Am I available? Yes. Am I capable? Yes. I believe that God has already equipped and prepared me to do whatever it is he will ask. But am I willing to stop relying on my own strength?

Back at my old blog I posted an entry about three words that God had given me. They were Delight, Surrender, and Invest. I shared what God had to say to me about Delight but I hadn't yet figured out Surrender. Until now. I need to Surrender to his plans and stop relying on my own plans. I have this horrible pattern of self-reliance. It sounds like this:

I already know what God wants me to do. No, not that. This. I'll do this.

Oh, I don't need God to get through this. I can do it all. by. myself. See? See how I took care of that? And that? And this? And don't you worry about that either cause I know exactly what needs to be done.

I am smart and independent. Surely the Lord knows that I'll be just fine without him.

Oh, the lies I deceive myself with!

Wrapping up: all I need to do is stop making my own plans and start waiting on God's plans. No matter how long those plans take to unfold. I'm so excited just thinking about the year ahead!

What about you, do you believe that God has dreamed up a home for you too? What do you need to do to make his plans a reality?