This New Soul

Who remembers the PBS show, This Old House? This show launched an entire genre in the entertainment industry for home improvement television. The host, Norm Abram, was meticulous, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about sharing his talent for restoring old homes to their original beauty. Wikipedia describes Norm Abram as a master carpenter. He always did his research, he was not afraid to get his hands dirty, and each project was a labor of love. A little closer to home, my friend Sandy and her husband took on the respectful renovation of their turn of the century Victorian home. A project that took them 20 years to finish. Each time I drive by their home, I am amazed at their patience, skill, and devotion to such an enormous undertaking. It reminds me of another master carpenter that seeks to restore something more precious than a home. He desires to restore my soul. Jesus, the master carpenter, wants to help us in our respectful renovation – from the inside out.

In green pastures

he makes me lie down;

to still waters

he leads me;

he restores my soul.

Psalm 23: 2-3

As the pinnacle of creation, God made us in His likeness and image. Each of us has a beauty and a goodness that longs to shine. Unfortunately, life circumstances, past hurts, sin, and exhaustion can tarnish that beauty and dull the goodness. Psalm 23 v 2-3, states it is in green pastures and beside still waters that God restores our souls. These verses elicit images of rest, calm, and peace. If I use my imagination, I can smell the fresh air, hear the gentle flow of the creek, and feel the presence of Jesus. In this situation, I am choosing to rest in the Lord, to let Him gently renew my spirit, and recharge my battery. However, the true definition of restore is a much more active process. Mirriam Webster defines the word restore as – to bring back to or put back into a former or original state. Synonyms include: remodel, renovate, and repair.

Often the process of restoration involves destruction. Sandy described the fun in wielding hammers and mauls to tear out old plaster and lath walls. This demolition exposed old electrical wiring and a heating/cooling system that needed updating. Sometimes restoring our souls can happen in much of the same way. The walls must come down that keep us from letting the good into our lives. As these barriers come down, the lies that need replacing with truth are exposed. This process can give us the freedom to be ourselves for the first time in our lives. Instead of walls and barriers, we need proper boundaries, with gates. Gates that let the good in and the bad out. What walls can you replace with good boundaries and a sturdy gate? An excellent resource and guide for building these sorts of boundaries is: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

Other times, the restoration of our souls requires a bit more patience, gentleness, and time. Perhaps a specific relationship in your life or particular vice or sin needs the undivided attention of you and Jesus. We do not live in a vacuum, and therefore, our efforts affect the lives of those we love. These changes require us to use the delicate tools of prayer and love to make small, lasting changes. Instead of hammers and mauls, we use tiny picks and brushes to remove the layers of paint and grime caught up in the intricate parts of our lives. Although time-consuming and tedious, the act of restoring love, acceptance, gratitude, and patience for ourselves and in our relationships is worth every ounce of our energy. Who in your life deserves this gift? You, your spouse, a parent, a friend, a child?

Finally, restoration can be exhausting. Life can be exhausting. Luckily, God built in a beautiful space for our souls to restore. It is called Sunday. God rested on the Sabbath, why don’t we? I know this is almost impossible to consider, but try spending some time this week rearranging your schedule to free up your Sunday. I will concede there is work that is required regardless of the day, but just be sure you are not creating the excuse, “I have to do this” when with a little creativity, the task can move to another day. Experience this extraordinary gift. Use Sunday to refill your tank for the week. Visit family and friends, spend some time enjoying the outdoors, read a book, or host a Sunday potluck dinner. Ignore the laundry, yard work, and cleaning. Go to church. Take a nap. Monday comes soon enough.

Whatever part of your soul needs restoring, Jesus is there waiting to begin the work. He is patient, meticulous, and eager to get started. His tools include promptings from the Holy Spirit, honest friends to accompany you on the journey, perhaps a therapist or spiritual director, Sacred Scripture, the grace available in the sacraments, and most importantly, His love. Do not hesitate to use them all to let your beauty and goodness shine. Be assured, this process is not a fresh coat of paint to clean things up. It is the old, made new.

A special thank you to Sandy for sharing her insights and experience in the restoration of their home. The gift of her time and words were invaluable.