Building a Doll House: And So It Begins - Chapter 1

You’ve seen these books. “What I Learned From God While…” Fill in the blank. Quilting, gardening, cooking, brewing tea, and the list could go on. Well here’s my version. “What I Learned From God While Building a Doll House.” I believe that God taught me some lessons during this process and I would like to take the opportunity to relate with you what God desires for each of us and for what He desires in our homes.

We first got the idea of building a doll house for our granddaughter when she saw a doll house in a toy store and was mesmerized by it. We thought it would be a fun and exciting process, so we began our journey.

We started at the hobby shop. Standing in front of half a dozen fully built houses was inspiring. We decided upon one and asked to see it closer. The store manager lifted it off the shelf and we inspected it. Yes, this was the perfect house for Joy. Along the wall were accessories: furniture, knick knacks, fireplaces, flooring, wall paper, lights…the list could go on, but you understand. Then the manager asked if we were thinking of adding electric for the house to have lights. “Of course,” we said. “I quit before I got to that point,” replied the manager. “It’s a lot more work than most people realize. I hope you’re giving yourself plenty of time to complete this project,” he added. It was at that point we began to understand the enormous task we had thought to undertake.

We purchased the house kit and a few accessories and left the hobby shop with our heads spinning.

Think a moment about the creation of the world, the universe, and man. Can you imagine what Jesus and the Holy Spirit thought when God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26). Were there questions? Maybe opposition? I don't think so. They all agreed to the plan. And I’m sure they didn’t have the overwhelming feeling Mason and I had at this undertaking, but none the less, they knew what it meant. What it would cost. Rejection, pain, inconsiderate words and actions on man’s part, and death.

Oh yes, creation was the beginning of the fall, but there’s so much more! Through the resurrection of Jesus, we have the opportunity to accept the grace offered by God and along with it, the hope for a future with God for eternity.

That first step into God’s grace may seem daunting, almost impossible. And on our own, it is. We can only understand His forgiveness when we submit completely to Him. And through His love and strength, we are able to overcome any “trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword…In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35, 37)With Him on our side, we have nothing to fear.

This is the first part of many chapters in this story. The “chapters” will be intertwined with other writings on my blog and together, will be a completed work. Join me on this journey. Enjoy the process and the finished project. We did and still are.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna