After a long search for a contractor, we are finally dealing with some work that needed to be done at the Rectory. There are places where the wood has rotted away, or nearly away. The way the house is situated, it doesn’t get good sun on three sides. Things that get wet tend to stay wet. Over the 15 or so years since the house was built, some things just haven’t held up. Such is the climate of southeast Georgia, I suppose.  

As is often the case, when we hired a person to deal with what we could see, we also realized there would likely be more we couldn’t see. We were right. Nothing so scary as what we found at the Parish House last year, but similar on a smaller scale, in the sense that once you start working, you discover even more. I’ve heard the same about rodents, ants, and roaches, too. If you see evidence of one…

Now that we’re digging below the surface, we are able to address the problems and replace the old, deteriorated wood with new, strong wood. It’s nice to know that everything will be solid and aesthetically pleasing once the work is complete. And this time around, some of the wood is being replaced with composite materials that won’t rot in the future.  

We’re quickly bearing down on the season of Lent. You’ll start seeing announcements about classes, devotionals, and other seasonal offerings. It is our hope that we will find this season a particularly good time to go deep with our spiritual discernment. It is a season of “getting right” with God through repentance and reconciliation. The work is all ours, as it turns out. God’s ready and willing to restore us. Getting us to the place to seek it for ourselves is the hard part.  

Perhaps this is because looking at ourselves, prying up the carefully laid facades we’ve created, is going to undoubtedly allow us to find something that needs more attention. We don’t want to find such things; it’s rarely fun. It comes at a cost. And yet, when we do, and when we work for renewal, rebuilding, and refreshment, we find stability and a more pleasant life. Like a trustworthy and competent contractor, only on a much different scale, God can handle whatever we uncover. God doesn’t suspect what’s there, but in fact, already knows. The work of uncovering is ours.  

Why say this now when Lent is still two weeks way? Because I know we might need some time to prepare ourselves to get started. Lent is coming. Time to do some work. Expect to find some rot and some places in need of restoration. Yet don’t fret, either. As I suggested in my sermon on Sunday, we’ll be ok as long as we remember God is with us as a source of strength and restoration. So, start figuring out what boards need to be pried up. Ash Wednesday is demo day. It’s two weeks away. Let’s get to work.  

Tom+

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.