Be Still And Know

Amos 9:14 NLT 'I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine.' The challenge in all restoration is deciding what that restoration will look like. Jayne and I restored an old Victorian house in Portsmouth. First, we needed to decide on the character of that restoration. We chose to return the house to its Victorian heritage, while ensuring it fulfilled the criteria for contemporary living. We chose to restore fireplaces, skirting boards, architraving and reveal the original tiled floor. So, a process started which would last some years. The same is true in God’s restoration project. What appears broken can be renewed. Past neglect and mistreatment can be left to the past and replaced with something that is beautiful and fit both for purpose and for today. However, the process takes time, effort and imagination, for no restoration is instant a