Thursday, October 1, 2020

One-of-a-Kind Makeover

 


Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:8

Pictured above is the surface of our back deck.  Not a pretty sight!  It has been pummeled by rain and snow, heat and cold, for many years, and its once perfectly stained facade has faded into grey.  The poor, unfortunate boards are in desperate need of a makeover if ever there was one!


So, before the leaves of autumn threaten to turn and fall, my husband, Danny, decides it's high time to bring the deck back to life.  We have plenty of stain left over from the time his son, Nicco, upgraded our front porch, so supplies to accomplish the job stand at the ready.  It takes two days for Danny to accomplish this feat, but the result?  Pristine and priceless!



What a transformation this is!  Our once old, weary and worn-out deck is made new again by the power of a paint brush, stain, and loving, careful attention from Danny.

This reminds me of what happens within us when we ask Jesus into our lives.  We are weathered and withered by sin, weighted down with sorrows and regrets.  Yet, our Lord takes out His paint brush of love and forgiveness, and gives us a one-of-a-kind makeover and a fresh, new start.  Just like the tired old deck, we are made new by His grace and His Spirit, freed to love others as we love ourselves.

So, if you are someone who has not invited Christ Jesus into your heart, will you think long and hard about making that choice today?  And if you are already a follower, perhaps it's time to recommit to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

His love, indeed, covers a multitude of sins.

Amen!

30 comments:

  1. A good lesson well taught, Martha. Thank you.

    God bless always.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the message today, Victor.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Oh, what a great lesson! And a beautifully refreshed happy deck!! I know how that makes you feel happy and satisfied. And we also feel happy and satisfied in our souls when Jesus is the One in control...when He dips His paintbrush into our hearts and makes us a new creation in Christ! Love this today. Now, go do some deck sitting and enjoy the beauty of autumn!

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    1. Jesus definitely IS our source of life and refreshment, Pam! I will certainly enjoy spending time enjoying our revitalized deck with this cooler fall weather, and it is my favorite place to be when talking with the Lord.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. What a wonderful analogy to carry with me through the day! What was old has been made new again with our Father's Loving brush.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked the analogy here, Myra. God is the greatest make-over artist we could ever hope to have!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Love how you wove this verse into your post, Martha. Love does cover a multitude of sins, but stain covers the deck! :)

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    1. Amen, Laurie! We are loving our deck's new "look."
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Your deck looks great! Thanks for the excellent reflection, Martha Jane!

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    1. You are so welcome, Terri - glad you like the deck!
      Love and blessings!

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  6. amen and amen. great illustration too. good job, Danny!

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    1. Thank you, Jean! I'll be sure to tell him.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. I too have a deck that is weathering. Wow Martha, you will now have me thinking of the analogy of how the Lord paints over our mess and forgives us, giving us a new start. I go on my deck often and may this remind me of His loving care to restore!😀❤️🌹🙏🙏🙏🙌

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    1. Valerie, it sounds like you spend as much time on your deck as I do on mine. Yes, the Lord paints over all of our messes, forgives us, and frees us to make a fresh start. Oh, how grateful I am for that!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. What an amazing post with a stunning word picture of the way God transforms us when we turn to Jesus and repent of our sins.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. So glad my word picture here spoke to your heart, Kim. Yes, our Jesus can take our old selves and make them truly new again.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Martha, such a great visual of what happens when Christ comes in and restores our lives!

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    1. I'm glad you liked this visual, Beckie.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. Beautiful illustration of how Jesus cleans us up, Martha Jane!

    And your renewed deck looks great!

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    1. Thanks so much, Barbara - so glad you liked the illustration here!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Oh such true words Martha... thankful for the blood stains that applied wash and make new again! Your deck looks amazing, and I'm sure it feels SO good to have that project checked off the to-do list! Blessings to you :)

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    1. I, too, am so thankful to be covered and washed clean by the blood of Jesus, Marilyn. And yes, this is one project we've been meaning to get done for a while now, and it feels so great to have this new look.
      Love and blessings!

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    1. LOL, Bill! I'll be sure to tell Danny that his job met with your complete approval.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Your deck looks so nice. Great job, Danny! God bless you both.

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  14. Amen Ms. Martha. I'm so glad God works from within. He not only covers up my stained and scarred life, He rebuilds it from the inside out. I too look to the day when we are made better than new. God's blessings ma'am.

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    1. Oh, how our Father covers our stained and scarred lives, and makes us as white as snow, inside and out, J. D. He is the expert when it comes to home improvement!
      Love and blessings!

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