Was Martha Asian?

I have been accused in the past by certain friends that I have perfection tendencies. I have never thought of myself that way, but recently I am wondering if it might not be true. I use to think my desire for declutter, organization and general neatness to be something of an Asian trait, but now I am seeing the "Martha, not Mary" syndrome creeping into my life. Okay, creeping is not the right word. Its basically an ugly monster that attacks me daily.

It has been interesting to watch my friends over the years who have had the time and resources to focus on their homes and decorating, etc. I use to think I was so "blessed" that I wasn't enslaved to weekends of Home Depot trips or a constant state of an unfinished house. I, unlike my friends, was actually living life and enjoying my home. I liked my home neat, but I had no time, money, or husband to help me with home improvement and so it was just not something on my radar.

"Judge not, lest ye be judged." Oh yeah. I am up to my eyeballs in paint swatches and decorating ideas and it doesn't end. Our "remodeling" is essentially done and our house is pretty much put back together. I can't say it was a terrific experience and it was a time of spiritual challenge.

I learned that I am more like Martha (not because I am Asian) than Mary. Shocking.
I found out that if I didn't take the time to intentionally be like Mary, my Martha tendencies would never be satisfied. The things to do and the lists of tasks never really end.

The battles were mental and emotional. The lie was staring me in the face: "Once your house is in that 'perfect' condition, once its finally all done, then, THEN you'll have peace and be happy."

Ooooooh. Ugly, ugly lie.

My joy and my peace should not be challenged by ANY house or the condition of it. Joy and peace don't mean I have to LIKE the condition of my house, but it should not determine the quality of my life, especially in light of eternity.

I also struggled with our contractor. Danny and I like him a lot, personally. He is currently in seminary and loves Jesus. He was recently layed off and our project was the perfect timing for him (he was in the home improvement industry anyway).

Although 80% of the work done was wonderful, there was the 20% that was not. That 20% took an additional 3 weeks and extra $$$$. It required our contractor to bring in another subcontractor to finish and by then I was in the state of asking, "How am I suppose to look like Jesus in all this?"

The irony of course, is that Jesus was an excellent carpenter.

By now our contractor was losing money on our project because of the snags he'd run into and yet his "fixes" were not acceptable. I wanted to be angry at him and see him as the enemy ruining my house, my life. Yeah, I just equated my house to my life. How quickly we begin to be owned by the things we own.

The result was good. Mostly because I have a godly husband who is so intent on taking care of me and reminding me, "Its not the end of the world. These things can be fixed. I will talk to him."

Poor Martha. She needed a Danny.

As for me and my house? Well, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. There's plenty of remodeling and decorating needing to be done in my heart.

Living with Chaos

House remodeling-demolition-construction-mass quantities of dust and debris continues. Expected end date October 9th..... This experience is trying every OCD, cleanliness-next-to-godliness, Asian-organization nerve in my body!!!

Open for Business

My friend Zoe and I have opened a new business together. She is the Columbia, SC shop and I'm the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill shop.

The Well Wrapped Gift (www.thewellwrappedgift.com) is a custom gift wrapping service with the corporate/business client in mind. We are not opposed to a "high" end client (the country club social Mrs.), but that is not our target.

For Zoe, its a perfect income for a-stay-at-home-full-time-home-schooling-swim-coaching-mom of 4 and wife (WHEW!). It will give her the flexibility to do the labor at "odd" hours. Although she will still need to make contacts, connections, and network in her community, I am the web designer, gift wrapping designer (and trainer), and administrative person behind the business.

In the Raleigh area, I am hoping to hire my labor -- a certain first year (poor) college student at UNC. It will be a seasonal business and we recognize that in today's economy, starting a new business might be tough.

We are hoping that as we trust God, He'll use this business in ways that go beyond just the potential income it would bring in.

I would love to use it to bless residents at the Raleigh Rescue Mission or partner up with other not-for-profit organizations/charities for children in the hospital during the holidays.

In any case, the up front investment and cost is safe. I would also love to add other "locations." For instance, say I have another friend in a similar lifestyle situation as Zoe and they need a home business too, I could add them to the site.

All very exciting and cool stuff, but all a very specific seasonal niche. Anyway, please send ideas, suggestions, contacts, leads, etc. if you have any.

Here's the website: www.thewellwrappedgift.com