I know, you’ve been asking yourself, “How are those two empty-nesters managing now that their baby is off to college?” You wonder what we do to fill our days.
Well, during Saturday morning waffles, we practiced the selfie faces we’ll make when we go to get our Christmas tree next month. And no, I will not try to explain how the conversation got to that point.
Other than that, we have been watching TV in the evenings.
Hey, not old-people-in-recliners TV watching. Wait, OK, so, yes, in recliners. But we are active, you guys. We like shows in which we need to research and produce our opinions. First there was Iron Chef, and I’ll have you know we are now leading experts on prosciutto.
Lately it has been Fixer Upper.
I said, “Matt, we should do a reality TV show because we’re about as silly as Chip and Joanna Gaines.”
“Yeah hon, except we got no skills,” he said.
There is that.
Anyway, we’ve been helping the clients choose which house they should pick and which of the three additional remodel choices they should go with. They don’t always listen to us, but sometimes they do.
You wonder how this could possibly lead to a spiritual element.
I don’t know what goes on in your brain most of the day, but I pretty much see spiritual lessons in everything. So here goes:
Five Soul Truths From Watching ‘Fixer Upper’
- Every fixer-upper house has obvious repairs needed, but then surprise repairs always come to light, as carpet is pulled back and walls are torn down. Joanna says that’s an expected part of working on an older house. We can expect to find new places in our hearts that need fixed.
- A house needs an open flow, so that kitchen opens wide to dining room, which opens wide to living space. Joanna always tears down walls and makes room transitions bigger. Our souls tend to be closed off too. “Why in the world is this wall of pride here?” Sledge hammer.
- Renovation requires imagination. In Galatians 5:22-23, we get one of those 3-D, computer-generated tours and find out that the Spirit has big plans to restore good structure in us. Can you see it? It’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. “Keep an open mind,” Chip says.
- It takes a lot of talented people to fix up a run-down house. It requires electricians, plumbers, carpet guys and chimney sweeps. We have to be in community with each other, so we can work on building each other up.
- Staging comes on the last day of renovation. We believe the house on TV is finally going to be done, and we have to have as much confidence that we will be completed.
Paul gives followers of Christ hope of renovation:
“That the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21).
We are the fixer-upper, and we’re in good hands. Just you wait.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
