Faith, Fireplaces, and Waiting

Recently we took on the ambitious task of building a fireplace fixture. What we envisioned was a cozy centerpiece for our living room, something straight out of a Pinterest board. However, as is often the case with DIY projects, things didn't go exactly as planned. We ran into unexpected challenges—measurements were off, materials didn’t quite fit, and our timeline stretched far longer than anticipated.

It’s moments like these that test our patience and resilience. We start with high expectations, ready to see our vision come to life, but reality has a way of humbling us. When things don’t go our way, it’s easy to get discouraged or frustrated. But this project reminded me of the concept of delayed gratification—waiting for something better, even when it feels like things are falling apart.

This experience brought to mind the story of Abraham and Sarah in the Bible. They were promised a child, but that promise took years to fulfill. During those years, they had to trust in God’s timing, even when it seemed like nothing was happening. Hebrews 6:15 says, "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best things come after a period of waiting and trusting, even when the process is far from smooth.

Building this fireplace fixture didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped, but in the end, it became a testament to patience, perseverance, and faith. It may not be perfect, but it’s a reminder that good things take time—and that the journey, with all its bumps and detours, is just as important as the destination.

"Trials test our faith and develop patience and perseverance"

James 1:2-4