Fixer Upper

1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

An empty house deteriorated as rain beat on the roof and wind blew against the windows. The grey sky reflected the mood of the sad, lonely structure. When the family departed, the heart moved out too. Without someone to care for the old place it fell apart.

My husband and I enjoy watching the HGTV show Fixer Upper. A carpenter, Chip, and his designer wife, Joanna, help couples find a run-down house and turn it into a dream home. As they peel away the layers of the desolate building, they often find bigger issues. Water leaks, mold, lack of insulation, to name a few, have destroyed the heart of the home. The mess doesn’t discourage the builders. They pound nails, paint, tear down and build up until they create a comfortable, beautiful, welcoming space. Then Joanna brings in the finishing touches as the heart comes back to the home.

Sometimes people resemble sad, dilapidated houses. The shell remains but the heart is gone. At one time, they may have had an abundant life, a relationship with Jesus, joy and peace. But sin and the difficulties of life moved in and destroyed the soul. Like the empty house without a caretaker, the person without the Holy Spirit decays. The longer the person sits and deteriorates, the more bitterness, loneliness, sadness, and fear fill the space. There’s one Fixer Upper who will pour life and heart back into a troubled soul. God offers hope and restoration through his son, Jesus. He wants his children to come to him and find peace. Praise God for always listening, always waiting, and always meeting us with open arms.