Reconstruction

    My husband and I are in the middle of a bathroom remodel at our house. After living in our house for fourteen years, it was time to make some needed changes which included relocating major bathroom fixtures. We're about four weeks into the project and finally, some of the fun stuff is beginning to take shape. When I say "fun stuff", I'm referring to some of the exterior, cosmetic work. You know, the pretty stuff that you see as you enter the bathroom; tile, lights, faucets, mirrors, curtains.....etc.
     Right now, we're hanging tile in the newly expanded, dual-shower head shower. We've painstakingly scoured every inch of the tile aisle at the local store, trying to choose just the right style, color and size. After much deliberation, we loaded up our new found treasure and headed home, satisfied with our decision. As the tile began to be applied to the walls, every precaution was made to ensure that each tile was the correct distance apart and in the correct order so that the proper design would be achieved. With two of the walls already in place, my husband and I are very pleased with the progress.
     As I began to reflect back over the past four weeks, I realized that it took a lot of work to get to the stage that we're at right now. First came demolition, then planning and replacement, which involved exposing and moving pipes and wires. Next came rebuilding walls and finally, placement of tile and fixtures. If all the deep, hidden prep work had not taken place then the exterior, pretty stuff would have been flawed and not structurally sound, possibly crumbling under the pressure.
     Our life is very similar in comparison, especially as women. We place so much emphasis on the exterior, pretty stuff and often neglect the interior, deep-down issues. As long as we look good on the outside then it doesn't matter what is taking place on the inside, until one day, we crumble under the pressure.
     Due to a thyroid issue and good family genes, I have spent most of my life having a thin body frame. Many, many times over the years, women have been very open in sharing their heartfelt comments about my body shape, often times, negatively affecting my self-confidence and body image. I spent quite a number of years thinking that there was something wrong with me because I was too thin. When in reality, all the jokes, jabs and blunt comments were coming from insecure women thinking that if they could "just be thin", then their whole life would be perfect. That couldn't be any further from the truth. The exterior doesn't automatically make the interior perfect. Quite the opposite is true.
      Perfect the interior and the exterior will follow suite. Work on all the junk that's buried deep down inside. Throw out the garbage that has stacked up over the years. Expose all the wires of unforgiveness that you've been holding onto since you were a child. Rebuild the negative comments that were thrust at you as a teenager with positive truths from God's Word. Most importantly, allow God to begin to show you how He sees you, and why He's placed you here on this earth. Often times, you have to separate yourself from friends who place great emphasis on the exterior. Like begets like! Spend more time with those who are beautiful and strong on the inside. Dig deep into the Word of God and allow it to penetrate deep into your soul. You'll see that the scriptures confirm that God doesn't make any junk, and you are no exception to the rule, so quit believing all the lies that have been hurled at you.
      Begin on the road of reconstruction and in a matter of no time, your interior will begin to align with your exterior.... happy, healthy, whole, and pretty through and through.

     You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
                                                                                           Psalm 139:13-16