Building with Intent. Slowly!

Last year’s flood was devastating! This week we learnt it had cost the Australian economy 5 billion dollars and was the costliest natural disaster in the world to date! Incredible! But perhaps, not so much to those whose lives were traumatised by that rain-bomb! On a personal level, I’ve had more time to spend in the shed this week working on some of my flood-damaged vehicles – and made substantial progress in resurrecting a classic car and a grey Fergie tractor. Progress is always very satisfying.
Similarly, Janine’s devastated gardens have now responded beautifully to her hard work and tender loving care in conjunction with the ideal growing conditions of the season. We can finally look upon the emerging beauty with a sense of gratitude, sprinkled with a measure of pride.
Progress in the little – and not so little – things of life are a constant source of iinspiration and encouragement. And progress and achievement are surely essential ingredients to living better, more satisfying lives.
Thomas Carlyle, a noted historian, spent two years writing a book on the French Revolution. His research was painstaking. The hours spent translating information into readable text, laborious. But finally, the book was finished, so he tucked the completed manuscript under his arm and went to visit a colleague – proud of his accomplishment and keen to hear an honest critique of his work.
In those days, there were no photocopiers to duplicate his work – or computers on which his work could be saved. So, what happened next was an unmitigated disaster. The unthinkable happened! A servant, not realizing the value of the pile of papers on a table, used them as kindling to light a fire in their grand old fireplace. 
On hearing the devastating news, Carlyle’s face paled. Two years of his life were lost. Thousands of long, lonely hours had been wasted. The prospect of having to write the book again appalled him. He lapsed into deep depression. 
Then one day, a despondent Thomas Carlyle was walking past a stone wall under construction. Suddenly, he stopped and stared. What he saw was a tall sweeping wall being raised very slowly, one brick at a time by a skilled bricklayer. It was a moment of inspiration. Though still consumed with regret at the loss of his precious manuscript, Thomas realized that by writing one page at a time, one day at a time, he could write the book again. And that’s exactly what he did!

Beautiful gardens, and the restoration of flood-ravaged possessions – including vehicles – don’t materialise overnight! But it can happen with the application of a regime of deliberate and care-full work – rewarding the care-giver beyond measure when a successful outcome is realised.
I’m sure there are people who have a strong desire to build a much closer relationship with God. So getting started, and then persevering will always bear the fruit of good intentions.
It’s not rocket-science!
A friend with a strong faith can always encourage us to make a start and, as we see the evidence in their own commitment to God and attitudes to others, bit by bit, stone by stone, we will be inspired to persevere in the building of our own vital, life-giving relationship with God. As that matures, we will surely look back and realize that building this better relationship with God has been not only need-satisfying, but an investment in a future dripping with promise and satisfaction.
And the icing on the cake? It can be a real blast!