My wife and I love the house that we just moved into. Love it. Love the neighborhood. Love having more space. Love everything about it.
But, of course, along with a new home come new projects. A lot of them. Our most recent project? Installing the new appliances that we purchased for the kitchen - including an over-the-range microwave.
I'll spare you the details of how that project went. Suffice it to say: it is securely (I hope) hanging over the range underneath the cabinet.
Now, I am not the most handy of people. As far as homeowners go, I'd say I'm right there in the middle. Delightfully average. Basically: I know just enough to get me into trouble.
Surprisingly, however, this project went pretty well - at least, compared to my first five years of doing these type of projects on a house. I didn't seem to make as many big mistakes as I normally would, and met most of the challenges that were presented (plaster, new outlet, demo-ed part of the cabinet) with solutions that actually made sense.
As I reflect on that - the fact that I was able to get that project done with less help, less time, less frustration, and less mistakes - the reason behind my success is obvious: I'm more experienced. I've learned as I've done those types of projects over the last 5 years.
But that word "experienced" is deceptive, isn't it? "Experienced" sounds so wise, so polished, so... well, experienced.
But really, "experienced" is just a different way of saying: "Failed a lot. Learned a lot."
Let me make a little bit of a leap here. I think that in many respects, this story describes our current season at Waterloo. 18 months into the journey, we have learned a lot. Failed a lot, to be sure. But learned a lot. At least, that's how I feel about my part in this. Failed a lot. Learned a lot. Became more experienced.
Which reminds me of Paul's encouragement to the Galatians:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10
I can see the harvest coming. I can. Especially now that I'm in Waterloo, driving in it everyday once again.
- I can see people longing for community.
- I can see a new location come more clearly into focus.
- I can see people begin to go on prayer walks in urban Waterloo.
- I can see the door at East High begin to open further.
Now, that's not all I see. I see all of the past failures and present frustrations, questions, and fatigue as well.
Nevertheless: let's not become weary in doing good. Harvest time is coming.
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