Extreme Makeover: Blakey Edition
I’ve mentioned before that we have rented a new apartment. This place is privately owned and what one might think of as standard protocol (i.e.: white walls, clean carpet, ready-to-move-in-condition) does not apply to this property. Our new place is not in bad condition. But as I’ve mentioned before the walls are various shocking shades of bright yellow, orange, red, blue green and yes…even purple. We have been spending many of our weeknights and lunch breaks at our new apartment determined to remedy this fact. Starting in the kitchen which donned bright yellow on the right side and dark red on the left, we have painted a nice glossy white. The living room presented the greatest challenge as it is orange on three walls, yellow on one. You can see from the photos an accurate picture of the shades. As you can see we have taken extreme measures and painted over it a calming shade of pale blue called “Majestic.”
Bobby and I think that paint names are hilarious. You can go to any paint store and find hundreds of little swatches of color all granted the most descriptive and imaginative names. Despite the poetic sound, often the names don’t even go with the color! For example, what color do you think of with a name like “soft pebble”? How about “summer breeze” or one of my favorites “soft whisper”? Bobby wonders if someone is hired by the paint company to name colors full-time. We decided that if we had named our living room shade it would have been “clear skies”. We’ve made progress with painting the new place and still have a couple of weeks before moving in to finish the remaining rooms. For those concerned, rest assured the room is sufficiently ventilated and Bobby even made me buy one of those ventilators that looks like a surgeon’s mask so I’m not overexposed to dangerous fumes.
This morning I spent some time reading Psalm 31. This is a poetically written expression of prayers for problems and prasie to the Lord for His sufficient love. These verses were very encouraging to me today:
“Oh love the Lord, all You His saints!
For the Lord preserves the faithful,
And fully repays the proud person.
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.” vs. 23-24
As I read them over and over again several thoughts stood out:
The call to obey. “Oh love the Lord, all you His saints…” This statement is not at all referring to the overly simple and somewhat shallow one we are accustomed to hearing in evangelism today, “God loves you so much, love Him back and He will make your life better.” Instead this is a command to obey. In John 14:15 Jesus clearly states how defining the connection between loving God and obeying Him is: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” And again in 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” I have often realized that this is not a love that always comes easy or simply happens. This kind of love is an active choice that I need to be diligent to make regardless of feeling or circumstance.
The promises. “For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.” Throughout Scripture we can see that God blesses and protects those who follow Him, while He opposes the proud. I think it is comforting to think of getting repaid for being faithful and diligent, that God preserves that person. Preserved brings to mind being guarded over and kept safe. But it is pretty scary to think of the kind of repayment God would give to a proud person. The proud person says, “I don’t need God.” A statement like this taken to the end is repayed in punishment forever.
The empowering hope. “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Next to this verse my Bible printed a cross reference to Psalm 27:14 which says, “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” When our hopes are selfish and our courage is man-centered we will waver. But there is no reason to lose hope or courage when it is place fully in God. He keeps His promises and provides the strength we need for each day.
As I read this Psalm today I was encouraged by the reality that God’s Word is refreshing and renewing as He is faithful to make-us-over more each day. I shouldn’t get all caught up in my plans or become discouraged when what I’m hoping doesn’t work out. Instead I can be confident along with Paul that, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:16
Posted by blakeyblog |
October 12th, 2005
Oh my! That was quite bright! We went from a white living room to a three peachy walls and light tangerine fireplace wall. I’ve already forgotten the color names. I know our bedroom is “scotch yellow,” but I would have dubbed it “golden rod” or “drop of sun.” I can’t wait to see the place! Or for you all to see ours! We haven’t forgotten about getting together…we’re just waiting for the right time.
October 12th, 2005
Christa,
Thanks for the updates on what God is teaching you through His word as well as the updates on your new sweet apt. Truly God’s word is refreshing because it is breathed from the mouth of the living God. Stoked to see you this weekend!
October 12th, 2005
Looks great — paint the ceiling a slight shade darker than the walls and you’ll find it really lifts the ceiling and finishes the room off.
Happy decorating!
October 13th, 2005
Yikes! I like your choice of colors much better!!
October 18th, 2005
Christa~
Hope things are going well!
It was great to see you this weekend!! And, of course, the little Blakey-to-be!
October 20th, 2005
I know it sounds lame, but I love to sit and read through my hubby’s paint swatches to see the interesting names (he’s an artist and has lots of color charts on hand.)
And I’ve even thought I’d like to have that job! lol