Since moving here in 2010, there have been many repairs and updates needed to our home. We've replaced some windows and doors. We've redone the back deck. We put a bay window in one room and had a built-in shelf installed. We put up new garage doors. The list is long. I became good at identifying problems and finding solutions. The problem is, all these renovations can overtake my mind.
Self-improvement shows can be problematic. I feel pressure to constantly upgrade like I see on TV. I am bombarded on social media. I gain glimpses of my friends' homes and compare mine. Savvy marketing ensures I see lots of home improvement products advertised.
Another trend is minimalism. Now I am supposed to get rid of things.
As a result, sometimes my mind races toward what needs to be improved, changed, cleaned, repainted, or let go of. I tend to get bogged down with what is wrong with my house or flooded with feelings I should spend time hunting for things I should get rid of.
But I don't want to live that way any more. I want to relax and live in our home, accepting it as is, and just be. I want to feel more relaxed in it, not critical of it.
So I've been declaring a mantra when those home improvement thoughts arise. I say:
It's good enough.
God reminds us to be careful of living our life based on someone else's standard--you know that anonymous person you think will show up and judge your home. Matt 6 also gives us this advice
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also."
A 'treasure' can be our home and its contents, but it can also be thoughts stored in our minds--the things we give our attention to--our attitude toward our possessions or the things we strive to attain (like perfection).
Treasures aren't wrong. God blesses us with good things. And, he asks us to be stewards of what he gives us. We are supposed to take care of things. But we need to be careful about imbalance seeping in.
Thoughts?
