For the past several months much of my time apart from work has been spent readying my recently deceased father’s house to sell. Whereas a sales contract came quickly because his house is in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in my hometown, movement to closing has been a trying experience. Whereas my father was a very practical and careful person overall, one thing I have learned is that for some reason he did not think it important to keep up with termite control. An ounce of prevention (annual termite inspections over the years) would have prevented a pound of cure (expensive and time consuming repairs).
The interesting thing about the whole situation is that no one was aware of the damage that was being done by those quiet little wood consumers because it was underneath in the foundation and in one of the interior walls. Not until a group of termites ate their way through a joint in a door frame were we aware of the extent of the damage they had done.
To say that termites and the damage they can cause has been in the forefront of my mind for the past two months is an understatement. And as is often the case with my life experiences (especially the negative ones), God has used this to teach and/or remind me of some valuable life lessons which hopefully will bring wisdom into my life as I navigate the days ahead.
- Outward appearances can be deceiving.
On the surface, my father’s house belied what was going on underneath and in the interior wall. By all appearances, though aging was apparent in its 80+ year structure, everything was ready for a quick “as is” sale to someone wanting to renovate an older home in a desirable neighborhood. We just had no idea what the “as is” condition of his house truly was. A person’s life can be the same way. An exterior façade of “got it all together” can effectively hide what is truly going on inside one’s heart and mind as life’s termites eat away at the foundational and support structures of one’s life.
- Life’s termites come in a variety of shapes and sizes and the damage done by them can be devastating.
I stood in amazement as the home repair crew began to tear trim work and flooring away to expose the damage inside and underneath. Those little critters are relentless and when allowed to do what they do naturally—eat wood—they can bring ruin and destruction over time. Equally amazing is the damage life’s termites can do if allowed to “do what they do” unabated. Fear can paralyze a person and cause him to miss out on great life opportunities and blessings. Worry, a kissin’ cousin to fear, can steal a person’s joy and peace – even to the point of anxiety. Sexual lust, a natural desire on steroids, can lead one into the secrecy of pornographic addiction or into the highest betrayal of the one he/she has vowed to faithfully love until “death do us part.” Greed for money, power, or fame can consume a person while
leaving them on an island of relational isolation. Anger can grow into bitterness which if partnered with an unforgiving spirit, can lead to an experience of devastating emotional and relational consequences of revenge. - Regular life inspection and treatment of termites is essential if we’re to protect the foundational structure of our lives.
Until the exterminator crawled under Daddy’s house and inspected it, we had no idea the extent of the termite activity, nor of the damage. But it was not enough just to know it was there. To save his house, we had to act quickly to both treat for current and future termites and to repair the damage done. The wise person will allow God’s Spirit, His Word, and the wise counsel of others, not only to pinpoint the termites that are in his/her life, but also to help repair the damage that has been done.
We would do well to join with the heart and mind of King David who prayed in Psalm 51:1-2,10 “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (NASB)
Remember, an ounce of prevention prevents a pound of cure.
Recent Comments