I cringed as I surveyed the filthy mess I was about to clean up and disinfect. Sighing, I thought of how much I would rather fast-forward my life a few months. I would rather be at AFM summer training or heading off to Cambodia. I would rather skip all of the messy renovations and the stress of trying to find a buyer for our home. But this mess and the mammoth task of making our house sellable were demanding my attention.
We had often wondered what the persistent smell was in our house, and now we knew. Greg had pulled off the paneling in the living room and bathroom getting ready to put up sheetrock, and there was the stark truth staring back at us. Not to gross you out, but let’s just say we found lots of mouse remnants.
As I donned my gloves and started my grim task, the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart. This house wasn’t so different from my life. God has a plan and a future for me, but there are a few renovations and cleanup jobs He wants to do before He can fully use me. I’d rather just go to Cambodia right now, but there are peculiar odors coming from unknown sources and crooked walls that need to be tended to first. As I encounter trials and setbacks, the reality of the dark, smelly corners in my life cannot stay hidden. Will I allow Him to rip and tear, scrub and disinfect, build and paint? These trials, these delays, and this journey are all in His perfect plan. Patience, trust, and faith; these are what He has in mind for me.

• Twitter