Done right…the second time
Sometimes, some people (OK, this is mostly about me), overlook somethings we’ve done that qualify as small mistakes. OK, I knew these were mistakes when I made them, and thought they were minor. They were, and they weren’t. If you don’t see yourself there, then you might want to move on.
Most who follow “Unconventional” or me on Facebook know we did a boatload of remodeling when we moved back into our Temecula home, and one of the last was demoing part of our front yard and making a patio. Yes, Sheila especially desired this, and it’s become her favorite outdoor lounging spot. We dug up a lot of plants and grass, moved some HUGE boulders, redid some irrigation, built a 10 by 30 ft. patio cover, and over 600 feet of hardscape, incorporating an existing sidewalk and adding a LOT of pavers and larger blocks at the edges. I enjoyed the challenge, but mostly, I enjoyed finishing it.
I DID notice one small flaw. When looking out from my office, one of seven legs of the outer blocks wasn’t quite level. The longest. 13 blocks. But I was ready to call it done, so I did. But it ate on me. I pointed it out to Sheila, she didn’t even see it, so more ignoring. And, more eating at me.
Finally I gave in to doing it right, and removed the outer blocks, one at a time, built up the dirt underneath, relaid them. Level. A minor issue, until it wasn’t. I couldn’t fully enjoy it, so it became major.
And yes, this post isn’t about level patio blocks. But about doing life right. Doing faith in Jesus right. This applies to our yard work, our employment, our relationships, our faith. So, let me suggest three tips this taught me to do that.
First, value quality. Cherish doing the best you can at the time. Don’t ignore those small flaws; they may bite you in the butt, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Yes, my project met all the code requirements, it functions delightfully and looks attractive. Except for that one flaw I tried to ignore.
Second, be strong enough to acknowledge flaws. For me, for too long, acknowledging a lack of doing it right said something about me, so I avoided it. However, not doing that said more. ‘Nuff said. It takes strength to admit mistakes and sins, but I’ve found that frees me to a degree I never could have imagined, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16, AV). This works, trust me. I’m still learning this the hard way.
Third, fix it. Or, to use a biblical term, repent. Change what you do. Make restitution—that’s a fancy word to make it right, in whatever way is necessary.
So, who’s the audience for this topic? Since we’re all imperfect, since we’re all human and blow it, I suspect this might touch more than just me. 😉
Kick Starting the Application
Think of a recent time when you tried to ignore a mistake or flaw. How did it work out for you? How difficult was it to own up to it? Did others help or hurt that process? What confession or making it right should come next in your life?