Over the last 8 years I’ve built, or rebuilt, a lot of things in my workshop including a stair case, a kitchen, 22 square metres of leadlight windows, 10 french doors and 6 windows to name just a few. I’ve then carefully trailered each piece to the house we’re building some 250km away. At times it seemed like we would never finish with the list of “things to do” seemingly stretching for miles. But, after 80% of a decade, the building inspector has declared the job “complete”. (There's a bit more about our house here: http://pemberley-estate.blogspot.com.au/).
Granted it hasn’t been an all day every day occupation - not even every weekend for that matter. In fact, at the start we decided that the house build would be a hobby rather than a vocation. As a result we’ve probably only averaged 3 or 4 days on the job per month over the whole period. But don’t get the wrong idea, our “relaxed” approach hasn’t always felt that relaxing for us. 5 years elapsed before we had an upstairs floor, 6 years for the flushing loo and the hot water system was only fired up for the first time 6 months ago.
Why did we tackle it this way? Well, we didn't want the project to become the focus of our family's lives - that position was already taken.
Thought
Two verses come to mind:
Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
