It's been 2 weeks since my counters were "supposed to go in "the next day." (See a few entries back) Well...technically, I have my counters in my house. The ones that are actually attached to my cabinets ("Liquid-Nailed" down) are too small...which the granite guy tried to hide from us by sliding the edge of the stove over it...and the ones that aren't too small are not attached to yet...although they aren't right either. You know I was so excited, and this 2-week hassle ordeal...and counting...has just taken all the joy out of the new kitchen. I know it will be fine when it's all done, but it's becoming increasingly more redundant difficult to feed a family of 8 on whatever can be cooked in the microwave and wash all our dishes in the bathroom sink...even though we use a lot of paper and plastic.
Through all this a few things jumped out at me...1.) I have allowed this to consume me. When I would wake up after a restless night of nothing but "kitchen" nightmares dreams and had a hard time thinking of a subject to talk about other than something kitchen-related...I knew I needed a break from the kitchen. It's easy to let it take over, especially when things go wrong. And when there are a million decisions that need to be made, it's easy to spend great amounts of time on searching for 'just the right" undercabinet lighting or door/drawer hardware. The Bible says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mt. 6:20) My heart has been in my kitchen (which hasn't even been here) for the past few weeks...and kind of like my blog title...my real treasure is not the wood and rock that make up the final kitchen. That would be a ridiculous as the people in the ancient world who worshipped wood & stone idols. My REAL treasure is in my home...my family...and also in my heavenly home. My kitchen will be done eventually...and it will be beautiful when it is...no matter how "talented" I become at the microwave culinary arts. But it is not my treasure. I was reminded by a friend (who just recently redone her house after devastating hurricanes) that we could feed a small 3rd world country on the amount we've spent on our houses. We have been so blessed, but we ignore our blessings when the "going gets tough."
2.) Trying to decide if God is testing us or "whoopin' our hineys" for something... because things are not going according to MY plans("many are the plans in a man's heart..."). I was listening to my music player...and hear the song "Sometimes He Calms the Storm" (Scott Krippayne). It's an "oldie" but it's a goodie. It reminded me that God isn't always going to make things easy for us, but He will be with us to hold us through the storm. I keep repeating the line"Sometimes He calms the storm, but other times He calms His child." Oh Lord...let me rest in you, so You can receive the glory in this storm. Just like David said repeatedly throughout the Psalms.
3.) The mistakes and set-backs are NOT the end of the world...nor will a perfect kitchen be "a new beginning"...it is merely a "comfort" in this world...something pretty to look at. I know for a fact that when I get to heaven...there are many Christians and martyrs through the ages who will have gleaming mansions...far more exquisite that I can imagine...They deserve far more than I do because of how their faith has been tested and how they have prevailed and endured through that testing...being found faithful in the end. I only hope that my "mansion" is as nice as their broom closet. I have been so blessed and fail to see it most of the time. You can't completely realize how blessed you are until you see first-hand what others live like and the persecution they endure for the sake of Christ. Even though I've been to a couple of Third World countries, they are not the poorest...and they still live far below my "standard of living." Lord, may I be content with the things you have given me. I have food, I have shelter, and I have clothing...with these may I be content...anything else is icing on the cake.
It will get done...and I will be happy when it does...but until then may I be content and rest in the Lord. ...although I'm pretty sure I'll have to ask forgiveness a few times by then for whining.
(And when it is done...I will share more pictures...with great joy!! )
Welcome to my blog...Why "gidget"? Well...my husband tried to teach me how to surf before we were married. I was lousy at it, but he called me his "gidget" and the name stuck.
Why "Treasure Trove"? I love sharing about my sweet little "treasures"...and God has blessed me beyond measure....and no, I didn't mean that to rhyme.
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