A Diamond in the Rough?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 

1 John 1:9

Good morning ...

When I purchased this spot of land, I did so for a few reasons. The most important reason is simpmy this, I was following what God had set before me.

Let me back up a little, I never have, and still do not believe in coincidence. I believe that our days are laid out before us, giving us choices. 

I also believe "we" follow or we blaze our own path. I have learned when to follow and when to blaze. 

Again, no coincidences ... And if I was to sit and tell this whole story as to why I put my house on the market, it would be a very long story indeed. One that started back in November. And one, that I'm not sure I want to write out on a phone. But, let me just say this, there was a chain of events that lead me to this land. Over a period of months and many signs were set before me.

Now back to the land, it was a mess when I looked at it. However, I did not hesitate. I made an offer, it was accepted. All of the mess was now mine. 

One friend told me I could back out of the deal and lose my deposit. This was a week before I signed. I said NO.

Another friend, after I explained how truly awful it is, she asked did I regret my decision? I did not hesitate in my NO reply.

My heart hurts when I see the condition of this beautiful piece of land. But feel very thankful that I was chosen to help polish this diamond in the rough. 

Just as Christ sees us, we are a diamond in the  rough. But if we confess our sins, He will promise to polish (purify) us from unrighteousness. How awesome is that?

This place is the worst I have ever seen in my life. The family that I hired to help me agree! And they have cleaned a lot of places.

These photos do not do this horrific mess its true justice. I actually found it hard to believe that people actually live like this! Disgusting ...

Everything you can think of and more is either thrown in the yard or buried here. My best guess is this land has been used by the families who owned it over the years as a dump, possibly since the 40s or50's!

Whiskey bottles by the truck loads buried and being unearthed broken shards of glass everywhere. Car parts of every kind, and even parts of a car body! There were 4 different toliets, pink, blue, cream and white, all broken into pieces. Metal roofing, old couches, tons of old tires... The list is long and mind boggling!

But in my mind I see flowers a chicken coop, compost bins and a wood shed... And the most important part ... My little white cottage.

My friend told me to look at it this way. You have an elephant, and you have to eat it ... How do you do that? ONE bite at a time. Great advice. So I took my first bite the other day. 

I remember back many years ago, if someone told me the elephant advice, I would have laughed at them and said watch me swallow this elephant whole! I was always so impatient, wanting things done right then. Always being on a schedule. Always a goal to reach, a timeline to meet. Back then after I swallowed that elephant, I would have said " next!"

And now, with a lot more gray hair and many more years older I have been blessed with a little more wisdom. So I now take each and every day as it comes to me. Are there things that I want to get done? Yes, of course. The difference now is, I'm okay if they dont get done on that day. 

I think the difference is simply this ... I have learned to appreciate every day I am given. I greet each day with a joy filled heart. I dont dread this or that. I dont let others control my happiness. And I dont feel that I am in a race against time. Time is no longer my enemy, it is now and old friend that I feel blessed to have. Although I dont get as much done as I want some days, I still feel that great sense of accomplishment, even if I only completed one task out of a hundred.

It took me, and 4 others 5 hrs. to make these piles.  Next time I hope to show you the start of a beautiful piece of land. 

So maybe this eating the elephant thing might not be so hard after all, with a lot of help from others!

Thanks for stopping by ...

Blessings from the cottage ...