Chapter Three: Building Houses; Creating Hope
“Still, he felt there was an angle missing from his research. He wanted to be thorough when he met Miss Rogers at the build site in the morning, be able to impress her with his knowledge of her precious cause before graciously tearing it down. He was completely ready for the labor part. A new pair of work boots and gloves lay in the corner waiting for their first use, while an old pair of jeans and t-shirt sat folded on a footstool at the end of the bed. He hadn’t used a hammer since he lived in a sorority house and helped hang shutters, banners and such. But he didn’t imagine he would have much trouble.”
In chapter three, our protagonist, Paul, begins to struggle with his latest project (victim). The more he discovers about the Habitat for Humanity organization, the more the past creeps into his mind. Once he realizes it is a Christian based non-profit, he can’t help but feel a mixture of sadness, loneliness and anguish.
Over the course of his young years, the calloused columnist built walls around his heart as protection from these very feelings. He was certain he had endured more than his fair share already. And so, he developed a whole way of life as a safeguard against hurting. Now for safety sake, his mind pushed back.
As he researched the Habitat web page and other promotional material, he thought about all the reasons he disliked the Christian religion, while distrusting all those who claimed its beliefs. The brochures touted safe environments for families, along with love and hope. He never felt any of those things in all the years his grandmother took him to church. Instead, he always left feeling more empty than when he came. Still, Grandma Sinclair continued to encourage him to “believe.” She insisted he read the Bible and pray before bedtime.
Sometimes he would read a few lines of scripture but his mind always wandered off to the last argument with his mom, or the fact that he couldn’t make friends because he couldn’t open up to anyone, or that he refused to allow anyone to come over after school because he was afraid of being embarrassed by the next episode. And besides, it never made him feel better like Grandma promised. And prayer? There was never any evidence that he could tell of his words getting anywhere. So, what kind of hope or love could these Habitat people build?
____________________________________________________________________________
I Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
I Corinthians 3:9-10 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds it.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Feeling completely dejected, Paul allowed himself to think back to a degrading and painful memory. Perhaps he thought he could feel something different this time. Perhaps he thought he would remember a detail that would change his whole perspective. Ever since he heard the name, Marissa Rogers, and began the assignment of writing about Habitat for Humanity, he began to experience an unexplained, nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
The strangest part is that he couldn’t dredge up any hatred in his heart for either. All his steadfast reasoning was there, in his mind. He could ponder every detail of every moment about his childhood. All the old hurt, sadness and anger welled up in his throat. Yet, hatred just didn’t come. It should be there. Lord knows he suffered more than any child should. He lost so much before he even graduated high school.
If only he could ask Grandma Sinclair one more question, one more time. He would ask her why she was so certain about prayer and church. After all, he finally came to understand that she went through most of the same painful times he had.
““If only that were true, Grandma” he lamented under his breath (about worship service making them feel better). “If only that were true…””
_____________________________________________________________________________
Don’t we all know people who have suffered such painful experiences that they doubt the love of God? Or, perhaps they even doubt the existence of God. The apostle Paul teaches in his writings to the Corinthians how God uses things we cannot understand to fulfill His work and will. Unfortunately, so many take the ways of the world to seek comfort. Through prayer and following God’s lead, we can affect the lives of those around us in the most positive way.
Look for Chapter 4 in the near future to see how Paul and Marissa react in their first meeting.
Grace and Blessings….Darlene
“Still, he felt there was an angle missing from his research. He wanted to be thorough when he met Miss Rogers at the build site in the morning, be able to impress her with his knowledge of her precious cause before graciously tearing it down. He was completely ready for the labor part. A new pair of work boots and gloves lay in the corner waiting for their first use, while an old pair of jeans and t-shirt sat folded on a footstool at the end of the bed. He hadn’t used a hammer since he lived in a sorority house and helped hang shutters, banners and such. But he didn’t imagine he would have much trouble.”
In chapter three, our protagonist, Paul, begins to struggle with his latest project (victim). The more he discovers about the Habitat for Humanity organization, the more the past creeps into his mind. Once he realizes it is a Christian based non-profit, he can’t help but feel a mixture of sadness, loneliness and anguish.
Over the course of his young years, the calloused columnist built walls around his heart as protection from these very feelings. He was certain he had endured more than his fair share already. And so, he developed a whole way of life as a safeguard against hurting. Now for safety sake, his mind pushed back.
As he researched the Habitat web page and other promotional material, he thought about all the reasons he disliked the Christian religion, while distrusting all those who claimed its beliefs. The brochures touted safe environments for families, along with love and hope. He never felt any of those things in all the years his grandmother took him to church. Instead, he always left feeling more empty than when he came. Still, Grandma Sinclair continued to encourage him to “believe.” She insisted he read the Bible and pray before bedtime.
Sometimes he would read a few lines of scripture but his mind always wandered off to the last argument with his mom, or the fact that he couldn’t make friends because he couldn’t open up to anyone, or that he refused to allow anyone to come over after school because he was afraid of being embarrassed by the next episode. And besides, it never made him feel better like Grandma promised. And prayer? There was never any evidence that he could tell of his words getting anywhere. So, what kind of hope or love could these Habitat people build?
____________________________________________________________________________
I Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
I Corinthians 3:9-10 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds it.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Feeling completely dejected, Paul allowed himself to think back to a degrading and painful memory. Perhaps he thought he could feel something different this time. Perhaps he thought he would remember a detail that would change his whole perspective. Ever since he heard the name, Marissa Rogers, and began the assignment of writing about Habitat for Humanity, he began to experience an unexplained, nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
The strangest part is that he couldn’t dredge up any hatred in his heart for either. All his steadfast reasoning was there, in his mind. He could ponder every detail of every moment about his childhood. All the old hurt, sadness and anger welled up in his throat. Yet, hatred just didn’t come. It should be there. Lord knows he suffered more than any child should. He lost so much before he even graduated high school.
If only he could ask Grandma Sinclair one more question, one more time. He would ask her why she was so certain about prayer and church. After all, he finally came to understand that she went through most of the same painful times he had.
““If only that were true, Grandma” he lamented under his breath (about worship service making them feel better). “If only that were true…””
_____________________________________________________________________________
Don’t we all know people who have suffered such painful experiences that they doubt the love of God? Or, perhaps they even doubt the existence of God. The apostle Paul teaches in his writings to the Corinthians how God uses things we cannot understand to fulfill His work and will. Unfortunately, so many take the ways of the world to seek comfort. Through prayer and following God’s lead, we can affect the lives of those around us in the most positive way.
Look for Chapter 4 in the near future to see how Paul and Marissa react in their first meeting.
Grace and Blessings….Darlene