Coverings

Here is an interesting photo.


I've seen these on every road trip in Honduras. I don't remember seeing them in Mexico so much. That is probably more due to the fact that with more 'modern times' you don't see as much adobe building as you did in the past, or in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

It has always struck me as looking very odd. Here is a place partially built, intermixed either with beautiful pasture (or not so beautiful pasture) or other fully constructed buildings and it's covered in tiles all around the perimeter or with the laminate laid over the top.



Don't they know that looks strange?
Aren't they worried those tiles will fall off and crack? Or shatter?

I never even thought to ask about it but one day during a road trip after seeing partially built house after partially built house; in a moment of pent up confusion and complete lack of understanding, I finally voiced the question: "WHY IN THE WORLD do they leave it like that?!"

Alan looked over and after I went into more detail as to what I was asking about (you just never know the reference to the question these days) he very matter-of-fact told me WHY. Due to the fact that these homes are built out of adobe (MUD - and a few other things I won't mention) and the fact that there isn't usually a foundation or any interior framing, they will MELT if they get wet. Disintegrate. Disappear and leave a mud puddle. So they lay their 'someday' roof tiles across the walls to keep the water off.


Protection.

Coverings.

I was instantly struck with a visual image for my life.

Oh my.....

* A house -my life is being built for God's glory.
* It's not finished yet. NO WHERE CLOSE.
* WHAT am I laying across the walls to protect it and keep it covered when the rains come???

Notice here I did not say IF. I said WHEN.

What do I rely on when school has been crummy, kids have been whiny, and NOT a one of us is glorifying the LORD with our attitudes and actions?

What do I rely on when I don't want to answer the door anymore to the various beggars who come looking for help?

What do I rely on when I don't want to visit with strangers and be stared at and asked questions again and would rather retreat to a corner and never leave?

What do I rely on when THINGS DON'T GO ACCORDING TO MY PLAN????????

It better be more than me folks because lately - I've felt the walls melting, and its not just from the heat.

Personally, I cannot go very long and remain sane and/or retain any kind of perspective on things without the renewing of my mind through the reading and absorbing of scripture. I should say that I'm not very organized in my bible study but boy, everyone; especially ME, can tell when I've gone days without it.

Where has our value gone regarding God's words? Jesus' words? And maybe nothing else? Are we too smart for our own good? Too much knowledge and not enough wisdom - because we no longer read the BIBLE? Good golly, and then what do we do with it?

Another blogger friend has suggested a Words in Red Challenge for reading through the gospels in a a month. Why the gospels? Jesus is talking to us there, in the flesh. I signed up albeit my implementation is a bit backwards. I was already in John so I'm finishing up that. Maybe I'll do them all backwards, then frontwards, then back again, and then again for extra credit. :) WHY? Because I'm constantly peeling back the layers of God's words and their application to this life on earth. Either I am changing or my situation is changing. They don't get old. I dare you to pick it up and be committed to it.

Or wait - maybe I'm adding layers of 'tile' in which to cover these walls of mine that are being built as a gift to Him.




Working away....

Faith