Renew.
That’s my job.
I renew chairs.
The work of removing the old and applying the new is for me very rewarding. I enjoy the challenges, and the variety of materials chosen to complete each transformation.

However, it’s the stories – the family history – behind the furniture that is my absolute favorite. It’s such an honor to get to hear the special memory nuggets shared by a client.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬

In my work I see many similarities of old and new in the lives of people. Myself in particular. But also the precious few people who trust me with the stories of their life’s journey.

Renewal. Shedding the old tatters for a new robe. Letting a loving God help us to strip away the layers that have been tainted, faded, worn and abused.

When I strip a chair down to the inner padding, all that can be seen is a clean blank slate. It is the true form of the chair. The old has gone away.

A blank canvas.
A washed chalk board.
A seashore wiped clean by the surf.
Renew.

Removing the old makes room for the new. The removal is really necessary. We don’t like the process. It’s painful. It takes time we think we don’t have.

Really for most of us we just don’t want to do the hard work of surrender. We don’t want to give ourselves over to admitting there’s a problem. We don’t want to go through the painful stripping of forgiveness.

I have worked on those chairs as well. They are very time consuming. The ones that have been covered over. And over. And over. I remove the top fabric only to find the previous old fabric. I remove that layer double the time and effort. Sometimes there’s still more underneath.

The layering ultimately has to be removed. The true form of the chair has been lost. It’s necessary to get all the old stuff off and find the true image.

It’s then, after the stripping away, that renewal can take place. This is true for people. It’s been true for me. How about you?

Jesus tells us that our lives surrendered into His hands will become new. The old will be removed and we will wear His new.
He is the true master artisan. Will we submit and receive?
Renew.