Last week I tackled a long put-off job of painting the basement steps and walls. It needed some attention because of cracks that leaked water after a rain. I thought I could just paint it and be done with it but no such thing.
First, I spent an entire day outside with the air compressor cleaning out the space between the house and foundation, then filling that space up with a filler and caulk. Of course, before that I spent lots of time figuring out those supplies and what caulk to get!!
The next days were spent inside caulking cracks, waiting for the caulk to harden, priming the steps and walls...then I was ready for a nap!!! Finally, I could paint but that wasn't the end of it. Because of oil based paint, letting it dry 24 hrs. for each coat, that took a couple of days also! What a process!
Well, what does this have to do with anything, you may ask? Has it ever dawned on you that life is like this paint job especially when it comes to huge situations that call for forgiveness or acceptance or transitions of life? It takes time to work through these things. Sometimes it entails much time and many conversations, maybe even some pondering time...maybe a nap!! Each of us could tell our own stories.
Painting the basement steps taught me something, though. It taught me patience, persistence, endurance, perseverance and hope. What do I hope for? I hope, for sure, that the walls don't leak the next time it rains!! What do you hope for in your life? Trust the process!
Molly LaFond is a spiritual director with offices out of Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI. She is taking new clients and can be reached at 920 793-3530. For more information see her website: mollylafond.com
