10-5-1 and a little 'deep thinking'

May 3rd we put our house on the market.

We had 5 showings in 10 days.

On the 10th day we had a contract on our house.

Ten days. Five showings. One contract.

It's bittersweet. This was our first home. Yes, we lived in California for 10 months and in an apartment for a year, but this was our first real home. We put in blood, sweat and tears into this house. Literally. Blood. Sweat. Tears.

There have been so many wonderful memories at this little house. I've loved making it ours. I can't imagine it not being 'home' anymore, but I know we'll make the next house a home just as much as we have this one.

We're moving to an apartment for the time being. Our house has not been started yet. The land has been bought and the plans picked out, but nothing started. As of now, I'd get lost in the jungle of the brush that has grown up on our once mowed lot.

But, soon enough, the brush will be cleared, the foundation will be laid and a house will be built.

I'm feeling a little metaphorical today. So, lets lay it out.

How many times do we let the weeds and brush grow up in our own lives? We don't tend to the things at hand and then all of a sudden, they are out of control; seeming to choke us out of the beauty that lay beneath.

How often do we picture that nicely manicured lawn in our heads of the way it 'used to look' but at second glance, there's all kinds of mess growing up around?

What about your life? My life? How often do we think everything is rocking along just fine, going through the motions, but then just like that, things change. Brush grows up.

What is your mess, your brush? Is it anger? Is it bitterness? Is it jealousy? Is it resentment? Is it fear? Is it addiction?

Mess looks different in each life. My mess may look completely different from yours, but truth be told, it's there.

We each have our own brush that needs clearing, but how do you clear it out?

Is it forgiveness? Is it admitting when you've wronged someone? Is it confronting when you've been wronged? Is it asking for help? Is it writing a letter you don't send? 

Whatever it is, I'd imagine it all comes down to Grace. Grace was at one point received. So grace must be given.

Clear the brush. Make a good, flat, clear spot for that foundation.

Sometimes though, when you lay a foundation, you've got to dig deeper than you think. More work than you planned. It's hard work, but the foundation is the most important thing.  It's worth it to put in the hard work on the front end to get it just right.   

Because, there's a house waiting to be built there. And good things are imminent.