messes

  

Construction is messy!  

We are excited about our addition/remodel project,

but in order to get to the finished product,

we have to put up with the mess.

In the end, it will be worth it.

I enjoy watching the squirrels play in our yard,

 but I don't like the fact that they are tearing up

 the cushions on my patio swing. 

I guess they are using the stuffing to soften their nests.

If we want to have the wildlife, we have to put up

 with the mess they make.

We have lots of trees in our yard...mostly hardwoods. 

We prefer hardwoods...they are sturdier than pines, 

they provide better shade, and their

 leaves are pretty in the fall.

But, in the fall, they drop those leaves...

and hickory nuts and acorns.

In other words, they make a mess!

But, if we want the trees, we have to

put up with the mess they make. 

We want to have friends. They make our lives fuller

and more interesting. As time goes by, there may be misunderstandings and there are bound to be hurt feelings.

 There may even be disagreements.

In other words, it can get messy!

But, if we want to have relationships,

 we have to be willing to put up with the mess. 

God never said loving people would be easy,

but He commanded us to do it (John 15:2)

 and He said if we say we love Him,

 we have to love people. (1John 4:20)

Thankfully, He gives us the grace to clean up

the mess with selflessness, understanding and forgiveness.

And our friends are worth it!