Furniture Repair

Recently, I’ve been attempting to restore or recreate furniture.  It is a challenging hobby and a lot of work; but there is a sense of accomplishment when seeing a piece of furniture given new life.

Going through the process of finding the right piece, transporting it to my workspace, cleaning, sanding, repairing, cleaning again, priming, painting or staining and sealing said piece…I’m reminded of how the Holy Spirit works in our life.

God’s Word tells us that “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 Not just to offer salvation, but to cultivate a relationship.  God, in the human of Jesus Christ, actively desires to be in right relationship with His creation –  with mankind.

When I look for a project, I mainly find discarded, broken, no longer wanted pieces.  Many times, a piece has been left by the curb or in a trash heap.  Items deemed no longer useful prove to be real treasures.   I’m usually pumped when I come across a hidden treasure and can’t wait to get it home. Placing the piece in my car, I give little to no thought about the cobwebs that are everywhere or the clods of dirt left behind by dirt dobbers , aka, paper wasp! Spiders, crickets, bugs, dirt …… well, all part of the process.  Romans 5:8 encourages us …”God shows His great love for us by sending Christ to die FOR us WHILE we were still sinners.”  I guess all the yuck did not nor does it phase Him.

Think about it, God looks at us and doesn’t see all the yuck that is everywhere.  He sees past the filth.   He sees the potential. He sees the creation that is made in His image.  He sees value. What we see as worthless and unfixable, He sees through His lens of mercy and grace.  I’m reminded of Isaiah 61:3 which declares “And provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

Let the restoration begin.

When I clean my project, sometimes it takes multiple sessions.  Many times, the dirt is so embedded that I have to pull out the pressure washer.  Again, I see the correlation between me cleaning this object and the Holy Spirit pouring out His Spirit into my broken and messy areas.  And yes, at times, He has had to bring out the pressure washer to deal with me and my stuff.

The process of being blasted with cleansing water is uncomfortable and sometimes, it can cause deep gouges or wounds in the wood.  Once healed and filled with stabilizing materials, the attraction to those wounds, the details.. well, it makes for the most beautiful and unique markings– setting it apart from any other piece.  Get what I’m saying? Ephesians 2:10  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 

Not only is there washing involved, there is sanding and peeling away broken or jagged edges…..making sure the surface is ready and prepped  for the next step.  It is definitely a process and is something that can’t be skipped or rushed.  Trust me, I tried to rush on through the hard parts….. man, did I mess up and I’m talking furniture and life.  I had to start all over again, so being patience is key! Also, following directions is critical,  can you see the lessons here?  We must be patient with ourselves and others as we allow the Holy Spirit to clean and peel back the layers that have built up in our heart so that we can be ready for the next step.   Isaiah 28:10 tells us  “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line. Here a little, there a little.” No skipping!

Once the surface is ready to receive the paint or stain, the covering and sealing of the wood, if you will, requires a steady flow of the right paint or stain for that particular piece.  Having the right supplies makes a huge difference in the results.  Using the correct sprayer or brush is crucial to ensuring the desired outcome.  How much more does our spiritual growth require steady exposure to the right tools….. reading your bible, really studying not rushing through to check off a box, spending time with the Lord, listening for His voice, worshipping and singing praises to the one true restorer of our soul.   “ALL Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It may seem silly to see the magnificent in the mundane; however, I’d suggest that that is exactly where we see God most. 

So, the next time you see a piece of furniture tossed by the curb, no longer needed or wanted … call me! 😊

But seriously, may we have eyes to see the beauty in the broken, discarded, abandoned, beat up things of this world and whether it is in ourselves or others, may we be quick to allow the Holy Spirit to restore as only He can. May our cry be as the psalmist‘s … “Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10