May 31, 2010

Beauty in the Imperfect

In the imperfections of life I am reminded that this is not my HOME.
Eternity is what really matters and where I will spend it.
Do you know for certain where you will spend eternity?
This life is not all there is.

REAL life comes after this one.
Our days here are very short...
even the longest of earthly lives are but a vapor.
Eternity is FOREVER.

My list of thanks this week documents some of the reminders
that this is not my HOME and I am not my own.
I belong to HIM.
HE can do with me exactly as HE pleases.
I exist to bring GLORY to HIM.

So in the imperfections of life I see beauty.
In Heaven nothing will be marred.
All will be forever PERFECT.
What a GLORIOUS thought!

There is beauty to be found in the imperfect ~
it is a blessing to enjoy this day regardless of what is
"unfinished" or "needs fixing".
The days are fleeting and the truly IMPORTANT things
often go unnoticed unless we really SEE!

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matthew 6:19-21

496. Laundry collecting just as the bins are emptied



497. Broken glass in the sink ~ Casualties of hand washing...



498. Imperfect garden beds ~
Yes...you do see recycling in the mix...Emma seizes them from the bin for play.
FYI ~ The jug looking thing is an empty Maple Syrup bottle...oh YUM!



499. Little-boy-chewed guard rail on the bunkbed



500. Tear in the linoleum ~ my feeble attempt at installation



501. Missing doorknob on the front door ~ that would be the inside! :)



502. Broken and glued "treasures"



503. Mildew growing in the caulking



504. Dust that collects



505. "Dings" in the laminate

506. Warped laminate from the time the dishwasher had a leak

507. Scuffs on the wall

508. Mud that is tracked in

509. Tears in favourite articles of clothing

510. Stains that won't come out

511. Broken dishwasher

512. Chips out of the edges of the kitchen doors
(not installed that long ago!)

513. Betsy's broken door

514. Unfinished bedroom

515. Trim that isn't painted

516. Weeds

517. Grey hairs

518. Old injuries that resurface every now and then

519. Beginnings of arthritis in the fingers

520. Shifting teeth in spite of long-ago braces

521. Wrinkles

522. Sun-faded furniture

523. Congenitally missing teeth in two of our children

524. Chipped dishes

525. Five colds on our holiday

Find the inspiration for this post here.

And here.

Many Blessings,
Camille

10 comments:

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

Great post and good reminder! Happy Memorial Day!

Nadine said...

If I started taking pictures of all the imperfections of our home...well, lets say it would be quite a few! :)
I am just so thankful to God for blessing us with our home, as so many do not even have that. Thank you for sharing!

Happy Memorial Day!

Blessings!
~Nadine

Heather said...

Yes, if we look at life this way, that we're heading for eternity, it's gratitude that helps us carry on. I love the "grey hairs" and "wrinkles" and "braces shifting" thanksgiving.

Have a good day.
love, Heather

Camille said...

Jackie ~ Thanks for stopping by! Happy Memorial Day to you...I'm sure it has much meaning in your home. :)

Nadine ~ Oh yes...we all need to realise how much we have been blessed with! How wonderful to have a home to fix and work on and clean...MANY do not have that in this world...you are so right! Happy Memorial Day to your family as well. :)

Heather ~ It is actually liberating to realise that we cannot have things perfect this side of Heaven...oh how difficult this was for me when we were renovating...trying SO hard to get it all "just right"! How wonderful to enjoy the here and now with all its flaws and look forward to Heaven with all its perfection!

Blessings to you each!
Camille

Wanting What I Have said...

This is BY FAR my FAVORITE Monday post!!! I just wrote MANY of the same things in my journal this very morning! It's pouring here...and we have rotting windows on the back side of the house...and buckets collecting a few drips in my office...and a tear, much like yours, in our linoleum (my feeble attempt at installation)...our kitchen door knob has never worked...it looks similar to the one you photographed...oh friend, I know of the things you write! And I thank God, too. Heaven is going to be so wonderful! No more rot! No more rust! And our precious Savior...knowing the depth of our depravity, and yet reaching out His arms in love and welcoming us...what a banquet feast awaits us! I can't wait to see you there!

Sarah said...

Delightful to meet you and share in your thankfulness today. Simply beautiful, simply today with all the dings and bangs..

Hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you.

New to the gratitude community,
Sara

Camille said...

Thanks once again for your sweet encouragement J! In renovating our home I found myself becoming obsessed with getting everything "perfect" and then it didn't go perfect...some things did, but most did not. Reminders are all around us that we are not to put our roots down here ~ if only we would have a heaven-focus all the time!! You are so right...Heaven will be glorious...our precious Saviour is there!! And...I would *love* to meet you before then, but if not, it will be lovely to worship our dear LORD with you. :)

Have a wonderful week!
With Love,
Camille

Camille said...

Sorry Sara ~ I missed your comment earlier as I was typing. ;-) Welcome to the Gratitude Community...it has been a blessing to be a part of it ~ I'm sure you will find the same thing! Of course you can visit anytime...may the LORD bless you this day!

In Him,
Camille

Heather said...

Hi Camille,
The tea is called, "Four O'Clock Organic Fair Trade Licorice Spice" and it's so strong and delicious smelling that I need some right now as the box sits here beside me!
Hope you can find some. I found this one at a health food store near here called, "Goodness Me!".
Have a good day!

love, Heather

Camille said...

OH thanks Heather!! I will check it out! :) Have a wonderful day!
Love,
Camille