Awe, Perfect!
Every so often, I enjoy browsing through Christian Book
Stores just to read their wall hangings. It draws me to worship.
Yet, no matter how beautiful, either the color or wood tone
doesn't coordinate with my home furnishings. Thus, coming home
empty handed is the norm.
Through the course of conversation, a friend gave me the
idea to frame my poetry. What a Godsend! There is a way to
decorate my house as a testimony for God after all!
For the next few months, every piece of paper caught my
attention - from cards with framed messages (making beautiful
borders) to designed stationery (for backgrounds) to picture
posters (creating otherwise more expensive large wall hangings).
Each and every creation is one of a kind. There's even a
grouping of family photos, with one frame out in front that says,
"Our God Reigns". My house is growing to be a visible expression
of my heart. Isn't God wonderful!?!
However, there was just one snag (an object lesson, if you
will).
In purchasing a picture of a temple garden with doves; no
verse, poem, or saying had been included. It needed something
more to mark its' religious significance. Not having before
realized; doves are no longer easy to find in the stores. My
husband helped search until we found enough pieces to complete a
wall, shelf, and table grouping.
A poem was to set in the midst, to tie this grouping
together. More than a half dozen changes in the framed poem
occurred before I was satisfied with its' wording. Then, the
materials used in the frame changed more times than I can count.
It was a chore ever coming to the place that poem, fonts, paper,
ink, color, background, and frame all worked together like it
should. Eventually, the right combination came together that
left that feeling of 'awe, perfect'. Concluding that this framed
creation was never going to get any better than that, I vowed to
never touch it again. Finally!!! I was glad that was over!
Then one day, while on vacation, I came across a gorgeous
handcrafted Canadian resin dove frame. It was twice what I
wanted to pay. How could I be sure if it were a perfect match,
being several states away? After having labored over the
decision, I concluded that I might not get another chance for a
frame like this again.
Once home, I set the frame with the grouping to see how it
might look. Still uncertain, after hesitation, I took apart my
framed work, transferred it to the new frame, then set it in
place of the original. Awe! PERFECT! It was BEAUTIFUL!!! How
could that be!?! I always thought the feeling of 'awe, perfect'
was God's way of saying something is just right/complete/as it
was meant to be.
"How could that be, God?"
He answered, "See. My 'PERFECT' is even better than
yours." And, yes, I did 'see' the difference.
I think God gave me that object lesson as a way of sharing
with people something I'd already learned, Except the Lord build
the house, those who build are laboring in vain (Ps.127:1). His
'PERFECT' is better than the very best we can do. All our
righteousness is as filthy rags until God begins to live through
us; trading in our knowledge, thoughts, beliefs, talents,
abilities, creativity for His. 'Awe' to know Him! His ways are
always 'PERFECT'!!! And, if we'd just let God build our house
and His, they'd both be 'PERFECT', too.
® by Joyce C. Lock
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About the Author:
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist.
In addition, she founded and maintains the email ministries
"Heavenly Inspirations"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and
"Share a Smile"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/ .
Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and
each other.
