Our woodstove is backfiring on us coming through where it’s not supposed to. For days its seemed to have grown a mind of its own. It’s rebelling and coming through, dripping down all black, and causing an awful smell that travels down to the floor. My husband scrubs it away. Just when we think it’s better it comes through again. Something inside isn’t working and we can’t figure out the right solution… yet.
But for the grace of God to reveal things from the inside out.
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. We think we’re fine and something comes pouring out when we least expect it. Creosote is a dark, black, death of a stench not any different from what pours out of us people at times.
And I wonder how little we can do on our own.
I slide something into the oven like meatloaf, squash, potatoes, a full course meal that will help cover up the smell for an hour or two. But, inside that chimney there’s still work to be done that I can’t do on my own. It’s something in a dark side or corner that I haven’t dealt with yet. And sometimes we don’t know how big our pain is until it starts seeping out to the surface. Are we willing?
Everything means something. And can point us in one way or the other. We can’t just scrub it away once or cover it up and expect healing and new life! We can’t ignore it for long and keep just the rest of our house clean and tidy because this scent affects everything. We have to get down and do the work until the work is complete.
Peace stays when willingness is invited in. And we learn our happiness isn’t determined by outside circumstances or even things occurring within our own home. Our hearts are becoming stronger and more stable inside the deep places where real peace can’t be moved, only because we’re willing. God does the real work.
And life begins to take on a new scent. Life is here for the living, friends!
You speak Truth sister! What a great visual you have given us of a Spiritual truth we cannot ignore or try to temporarily fix all by ourselves… allowing God to continually scrub, and scrub, and scrub me. Love ya, Tracy
Tracy, you go girl, Scrub away God! Love out today, Amy
I needed this today Amy. I admit, I’ve struggled this weekend b/c I’ve let difficult and frustrating ‘circumstances’ steal my joy. I hate it when I allow myself to let this happen. I’m truly learning that despite what is happening I need to let Him do the inner work that will affect my outlook.
Love to you, Hester
ps. dinner sounds wonderful.
ps. you know what, I like that “His inner work affects my outlook.” I think I will add that to the study I’m writing.
Thank you for sharing Hester, we each have those moments that creep up on us. God’s grace is ever abundant! Yes, inner work affecting the “out”-look.
~ Love to you, Amy
We are such doers, aren’t we. It’s hard to let Him do. it. all. but HE does it far better than my very best. Yes, I’m with you, friend. Letting him build from the inside out. Exposing my dark corners to His sandblaster of grace. He’ll make something out of me yet and I can know. It’s going to smell sweet. [HUGS]
praying you get the chimney issue resolved as minimally invasive as possible, friend! no fun!
The chimney has been cleaned and fixed and for this I’m thankful! What a nice opportunity to reflect on life… God is good. And Nikki, I think you’re wonderful! ~ Love out girl, Amy
God, indeed, does the real work.
Beautifully said!
Thank you Natasha and praise this great God we love! ~ Blessings, Amy
Hi Amy,
“Peace stays when willingness is invited in” — yes, and when we choose to lean in, press on and wait. There’s joy there then too.
Have a great week!
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
I love your words Jennifer! Thank you for sharing them… Peace from Maine today girl! ~ Love out, Amy
Beautiful words. Beautiful cleansing words.
The beautiful way that only the Spirit of God can cleanse us… thank you Rachel. ~ Love out, Amy
Such a great analogy! I like your blog – my first time visiting.
Great to meet you Dionna! Thanks for coming by today… blessings sister. ~ Amy